Take That, Apple! Zune Gets NBC Shows
Microsoft’s Zune is like the titular character in the movie Rudy. It’s a small fry with a lot of heart that doesn’t give up despite the giant odds (iPodds?) it’s up against. And just like Rudy, Microsoft suited up and scored a little win today nabbing TV shows like The Office and Heroes from NBC — shows Apple doesn’t have.
In a very public split last year, NBC yanked its shows from iTunes over the insistence of Apple pricing shows at a firm $1.99. The Zune Marketplace on the other hand will sell NBC’s shows for… $1.99, though the deal allows room for flexible pricing.
Microsoft will also sell shows from Comedy Central and MTV, offering an initial library of about 800 episodes total for purchase. iTunes has thousands of episodes from 600 different shows.
Just like Rudy, this big play won’t catapult the Zune into the big leagues. But a win is a win. (Cue the chanting “Zu-nee, Zu-nee, Zu-nee!”)
(DVD cover art for the film courtesy of Amazon.)
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lol, I think you mean eponymous
BobCFC on May 6th, 2008 at 9:23 am - Permalink
[...] Zune Be a Narc? Yesterday we wrote that the Microsoft Zune was like the football character Rudy, only it turns out that the Zune is actually more like Rudy’s uptight college R.A.. One of [...]
Will the Zune Be a Narc? « NewTeeVee on May 7th, 2008 at 2:30 pm - Permalink
Hey Chris, I love Rudy. It is absolutley one of the best films I have ever seen. The zune keeps trucking. I would say the little engine that could, but Rudy is 10x better. Love the analogy and the relationship to the others. Thanks, Sarah
Sarah Meyers on May 7th, 2008 at 7:10 pm - Permalink
*sp absolutely
Sarah Meyers on May 7th, 2008 at 7:15 pm - Permalink
[...] Though specific shows weren’t reported in the Portfolio piece, presumably hits like Sex and the City and The Sopranos would be part of the offering. The timing of the announcement would make sense as way to promote the Sex and the City movie opening May 30th. And having The Sopranos would also whack the teeny bit of momentum Microsoft’s Zune Marketplace got last week when it signed NBC content. [...]
Apple Nabbing HBO Shows? « NewTeeVee on May 12th, 2008 at 8:16 am - Permalink