Apple has expanded offerings in the UK version of its iTunes Store to include television programming from the U.S. broadcast network ABC, its parent company Disney, as well as Viacom properties MTV, Nickelodeon, and Paramount. The new offerings currently include 28 programs, including ABC hits like Lost,Grey’s Anatomy, and Desperate Housewives, Disney shots like Kim Possible and That’s So Raven, along with MTV reality series like Pimp My Ride and Laguna Beach, Nickolodeon kids’ favorites like SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer, and Paramount offerings like South Park and That 70’s Show.
“We’re thrilled to bring TV programming to the iTunes Store in the UK,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of iTunes, in a statement. “We’ve got 28 shows and expect to continue to add more great programming.”
Television shows in the UK iTunes Store carry a £1.89 per-episode price tag—that’s about $3.80 U.S. dollars, and represents a hefty premium over the U.S. price of $1.99 per episode.
In the UK, Apple’s iTunes Store will be competing against video download services already operated by Channel 4, ITV, and the BBC; Channel 4 already broadcasts several U.S. programs (including some ABC programming), and Apple may have difficuty securing UK rights to some programming. Industry watchers are skeptical of the success of television sales via the iTunes Store in the UK, although the ubiquity of the iPod—newer versions of which can play back video from the iTunes store—may make it popular with commuters and other heavy iPod users.
