Apple to Offer Seasons Pass for TV Shows

MacRumors · Mar 9, 2006, 01:30 AM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Apple's been busy with updates to their iTunes Music store model. Yesterday, Apple introduced a Multi-pass system to pre-purchase upcoming episodes of daily TV shows a month in advance. The new system will automatically download new shows as they are aired. (16 new episodes for one month at $9.99).

Now, Apple's iTunes site reveals that Apple will be introducing a "Season Pass" for weekly TV shows. This appears to be the natural progression of the Multi-Pass.

Quote:

Buy a Season Pass and get a whole season of a TV show, past or present, at a discount.

The system doesn't appear to be in effect yet, as the current iTunes "Buy All Episodes" button still reflects the same pricing as buying each TV show individually.

Again, all of these systems still represent a buy-to-own model, which means that the podcasts/shows will continue to play after you are no longer an active subscriber.

shrimpdesign · Mar 9, 2006, 01:36 AM

That's awesome! I'd much rather get the whole season on iTunes for a discount than recod TV. This is really getting exciting ... once they discount it enough to make it feasible for people to dump their cable, downloading TV will become insanely popular.

DMann · 02:11 AM

This may be foreshadowing the subscription service
being forced by Hollywood for full featured movie
downloads.

Shamus · Mar 9, 2006, 01:38 AM

This is exciting news for those who can access it. In australia we dont have it

nagromme · Mar 9, 2006, 01:52 AM

Bring the price down around a dollar a show, let me avoid paying for cable (since there aren't that many shows on cable worth my money anyway), offer the shows I want (Galactica at least), and I'm there

I'll stop worrying about quality and enjoy the ad-free viewing!

Rabbit ears for Lost and PBS + Netflix for movies + BSG on iTunes = all I need

shrimpdesign · Mar 9, 2006, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DMann

This may be foreshadowing the subscription service
being forced by Hollywood for full featured movie
downloads.

Not really .. it's just a discounted "buy all" ... you still keep the shows after downloading .. subscriptions usually only give you a short-term licence for the shows/music/movies.

yoda13 · Mar 9, 2006, 01:58 AM

Great news!! We need more content, but I am glad it is still a model where we own the content after we buy it. I can't wait!

nagromme · Mar 9, 2006, 02:03 AM

People use "subscription" to mean just about anything--and iTunes "bulk purchasing in advance" DOES work much like a magazine subscription.

But for music and video, I'd define "subscription" as meaning that you pay a flat amount, and then you watch/listen to whatever you want, as long as you keep subscribing. Like Napster. Like Netflix.

I'd define "rental" as meaning you pay for a SPECIFIC video or music download, but you don't get to keep it forever. (That would be great for movies and TV I think, if it was cheap.)

These Apple passes are neither: you keep the download forever, you simply pay less by committing to a whole batch.

EricNau · Mar 9, 2006, 02:09 AM

Still not good enough quality. Once it's DVD quality, let me know. Until then, I don't care.

Doctor Q · Mar 9, 2006, 02:12 AM

It used to be one type of media and one price fits all. Now we have variety in products and it looks like Apple is going to try various pricing models. More flexibility, but more complexity. I hope they don't scare of skittish customers with too many choices.

EricNau · Mar 9, 2006, 02:16 AM

What's the difference between a season-pass and a multi-pass?

Season-pass for once a week shows (e.g. Lost), and multi-pass for daily shows (e.g. Daily Show)?

ScottB · Mar 9, 2006, 02:17 AM

That sound's quite cool. Can't say I would see myself buying that, but hey at least they kept the buy to own structure.

camphorsunrise · Mar 9, 2006, 02:18 AM

Personally, I am THRILLED. I love the supscription/bulk purchasing idea! The Multi-Passes and Season Passes will make my life a lot easier. Currently, I work 3rd shift, and it would cost me $120 to get the channels I want on cable (including my broadband service), but I'm really only looking for a couple of shows, ALL which air while I'm asleep, so I'd have to pay an additional $12.95 a month to Insight for a DVR box to record them, and I still wouldn't be able to pull those off the hdd in the cable box because they've disconnected the USB ports... So not only does the new system save me money, but I can take my favorite TV shows with me and watch them at work which saves me valuable time. (You'll know what I mean if you've ever been a night shift person...)

I'm just hoping for some HBO and Showtime content... I'd love to be able to pick up QaF, The Sopranos, and The L Word legally and conveniently.

Enterprise8875 · Mar 9, 2006, 02:20 AM

Wow this is amazing. I will sign up for a season pass of Galactica and maybe The Office as soon as its up.

SemperMac · Mar 9, 2006, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamus

This is exciting news for those who can access it. In australia we dont have it

Ditto here in the Kingdom of Denmark!
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/da.html

BTW, in my country we are also still missing out on the "Music Videos" and "Short Films" part of iTunes and last, but not least, a lot of modern Danish music is missing in iTMS because of an ongoing dispute between Apple and Phonofile Denmark.

Generally speaking Apple as a company is present in our country with a branch office and also a Danish website resp. webstore (the latter in English though), but as a brand almost 100% invisible in the Danish media (print, tv, radio and outdoor).

If it wasn't for the iPods and us unpaid "evangelist" spreading the word also via http://www.mediamac.dk and http://www.macnyt.dk I think it would be even worse here in Denmark (e.g. no Apple/Mac presence at all).

Denmark is without exaggeration a Microsoft Crown Colony and it's "killing" me that Apple isn't doing a damn thing to change this!!!

arn · 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EricNau

What's the difference between a season-pass and a multi-pass?

Season-pass for once a week shows (e.g. Lost), and multi-pass for daily shows (e.g. Daily Show)?

Season pass is for a full television season (typically 22-ish episodes)
Multi-pass is for one month (16 shows => 4 a week) for $9.99.

The season pass prices don't seem to be determined yet.

ar[n]

EricNau · Mar 9, 2006, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arn

Season pass is for a full television season (typically 22-ish episodes)
Multi-pass is for one month (16 shows => 4 a week) for $9.99.

The season pass prices don't seem to be determined yet.

ar

Thanks "ar"

macintel4me · 02:45 AM

I can now see you can "Buy Season" of "Deperate Housewives" for $34.99 and get 23 episodes. That's about $1.52 per show; essentially a 24% discount. "Lost" is selling at $34.99 too for a season and you get 25 episodes.

Enterprise8875 · Mar 9, 2006, 02:34 AM

I am going to guess the season pass wil go for $19.99. The average for a TV show season is 22 episodes so $20 would be less then half the cost if you bought them for 1.99 each.

Doctor Q · Mar 9, 2006, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enterprise8875

I am going to guess the season pass wil go for $19.99. The average for a TV show season is 22 episodes so $20 would be less then half the cost if you bought them for 1.99 each.

Will a show that's below or above average in the actual # of episodes have a below-average or above-average price? And what if a show gets canceled midseason?

demallien · Mar 9, 2006, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamus

This is exciting news for those who can access it. In australia we dont have it

Shamus, maaate, you just have to find someone with an American credit card. You pay them, and they buy you a gift certificate. Works like a charm for me in France. One catch for young players - you have to create an account on the American store (done whilst redeeming the gift certificate). If you try to use your Aussie account, the system whinges...

dejo · Mar 9, 2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by demallien

Shamus, maaate, you just have to find someone with an American credit card. You pay them, and they buy you a gift certificate.

I wonder if you could start a business with this concept. Hmm...

Enterprise8875 · Mar 9, 2006, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doctor Q

Will a show that's below or above average in the actual # of episodes have a below-average or above-average price? And what if a show gets canceled midseason?

Good question, I wonder what Apple will do. Will they do a Season Pass fixed price where every season pass costs to same regardless of how many episodes the season has or will they adjust it? I would assume they will go for adjusted prices because some shows have very different season show numbers(like Battlestar Galacticas first season only had 13 while the second has 20). And I have no idea what Apple will do if a show gets canceled.

lorien · Mar 9, 2006, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SemperMac

Ditto here in the Kingdom of Denmark!
http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/...k/geos/da.html

BTW, in my country we are also still missing out on the "Music Videos" and "Short Films" part of iTunes and last, but not least, a lot of modern Danish music is missing in iTMS because of an ongoing dispute between Apple and Phonofile Denmark.

Generally speaking Apple as a company is present in our country with a branch office and also a Danish website resp. webstore (the latter in English though), but as a brand almost 100% invisible in the Danish media (print, tv, radio and outdoor).

If it wasn't for the iPods and us unpaid "evangelist" spreading the word also via http://www.mediamac.dk and http://www.macnyt.dk I think it would be even worse here in Denmark (e.g. no Apple/Mac presence at all).

Denmark is without exaggeration a Microsoft Crown Colony and it's "killing" me that Apple isn't doing a damn thing to change this!!!

It's the same in Norway *sigh*
Nearly everyone seems to have an iPod and the sooner they get more content on iTunes the sooner Apple gets to siphon off the wealth from one of the world's richest nations. Sure Scandinavia does not represent a large market, but it sure is loaded!

macorama · Mar 9, 2006, 03:49 AM

Definitely sounds like Apple are heading in the direction of a video on demand version of NetFlix. Netflix & Blockbuster etc are really going to be in trouble when that happens - the worst thing about those services is waiting for your discs. If you're downloading your movies it won't be instant, but it'll be much quicker than waiting for the mail...

Mar 9, 2006, 01:36 AM	#2
shrimpdesign macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2005	That's awesome! I'd much rather get the whole season on iTunes for a discount than recod TV. This is really getting exciting ... once they discount it enough to make it feasible for people to dump their cable, downloading TV will become insanely popular. __________________ 15" Unibody MacBook Pro (mid-2009) 2.53Ghz / 4GB / 256GB SSD iPhone 3GS Black 32GB

Mar 9, 2006, 01:38 AM	#3
DMann macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: 10023	Movies next? This may be foreshadowing the subscription service being forced by Hollywood for full featured movie downloads. __________________ Think Different - Innovate Last edited by Doctor Q : Mar 9, 2006 at 02:11 AM. Reason: no need to quote the first post

Mar 9, 2006, 01:52 AM	#5
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	Bring the price down around a dollar a show, let me avoid paying for cable (since there aren't that many shows on cable worth my money anyway), offer the shows I want (Galactica at least), and I'm there I'll stop worrying about quality and enjoy the ad-free viewing! Rabbit ears for Lost and PBS + Netflix for movies + BSG on iTunes = all I need __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Mar 9, 2006, 01:58 AM	#7
yoda13 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Texas	Great news!! We need more content, but I am glad it is still a model where we own the content after we buy it. I can't wait! __________________ For over a thousand generations, the Jedi Knights were the guardians of peace and justice in the Old Republic. Before the dark times, before the Empire.

Mar 9, 2006, 02:03 AM	#8
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	People use "subscription" to mean just about anything--and iTunes "bulk purchasing in advance" DOES work much like a magazine subscription. But for music and video, I'd define "subscription" as meaning that you pay a flat amount, and then you watch/listen to whatever you want, as long as you keep subscribing. Like Napster. Like Netflix. I'd define "rental" as meaning you pay for a SPECIFIC video or music download, but you don't get to keep it forever. (That would be great for movies and TV I think, if it was cheap.) These Apple passes are neither: you keep the download forever, you simply pay less by committing to a whole batch. __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Mar 9, 2006, 01:38 AM	#4
Shamus macrumors 6502a Join Date: Feb 2006	This is exciting news for those who can access it. In australia we dont have it

Mar 9, 2006, 02:09 AM	#9
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	Still not good enough quality. Once it's DVD quality, let me know. Until then, I don't care. __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Mar 9, 2006, 02:12 AM	#10
Doctor Q macrumors god Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Los Angeles, Row Q Seat 1	It used to be one type of media and one price fits all. Now we have variety in products and it looks like Apple is going to try various pricing models. More flexibility, but more complexity. I hope they don't scare of skittish customers with too many choices. __________________ Oh do pay attention 007. In the wrong hands, this Dual 2.93GHz Quad-Core Nehalem Mac Pro could be very dangerous.

Mar 9, 2006, 02:16 AM	#11
EricNau macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sacramento, CA	What's the difference between a season-pass and a multi-pass? Season-pass for once a week shows (e.g. Lost), and multi-pass for daily shows (e.g. Daily Show)? __________________ November is Pancreatic Caner Awareness Month www.PanCan.org \| Get Involved

Mar 9, 2006, 02:17 AM	#12
ScottB macrumors regular Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Britain	That sound's quite cool. Can't say I would see myself buying that, but hey at least they kept the buy to own structure.

Mar 9, 2006, 02:18 AM	#13
camphorsunrise macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Lex Vegas, KY	Personally, I am THRILLED. I love the supscription/bulk purchasing idea! The Multi-Passes and Season Passes will make my life a lot easier. Currently, I work 3rd shift, and it would cost me $120 to get the channels I want on cable (including my broadband service), but I'm really only looking for a couple of shows, ALL which air while I'm asleep, so I'd have to pay an additional $12.95 a month to Insight for a DVR box to record them, and I still wouldn't be able to pull those off the hdd in the cable box because they've disconnected the USB ports... So not only does the new system save me money, but I can take my favorite TV shows with me and watch them at work which saves me valuable time. (You'll know what I mean if you've ever been a night shift person...) I'm just hoping for some HBO and Showtime content... I'd love to be able to pick up QaF, The Sopranos, and The L Word legally and conveniently. __________________ 20" iMac G5 \| 2.1GHz \| 1.5GB RAM \| 250GB HDD 12" iBook G4 \| 1.33GHz \| 512GB RAM \| 40GB HDD 60GB iPod \| Gen 5

Mar 9, 2006, 02:20 AM	#14
Enterprise8875 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2005	Wow this is amazing. I will sign up for a season pass of Galactica and maybe The Office as soon as its up. __________________ Al MacBook 2.4GHz/2GB RAM/250GB HDD 16GB iPhone 3G Airport Express 512MB 1G iPod Shuffle

Mar 9, 2006, 02:32 AM	#18
macintel4me macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2006	Pricing Here! I can now see you can "Buy Season" of "Deperate Housewives" for $34.99 and get 23 episodes. That's about $1.52 per show; essentially a 24% discount. "Lost" is selling at $34.99 too for a season and you get 25 episodes. Last edited by macintel4me : Mar 9, 2006 at 02:45 AM.

Mar 9, 2006, 02:34 AM	#19
Enterprise8875 macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2005	I am going to guess the season pass wil go for $19.99. The average for a TV show season is 22 episodes so $20 would be less then half the cost if you bought them for 1.99 each. __________________ Al MacBook 2.4GHz/2GB RAM/250GB HDD 16GB iPhone 3G Airport Express 512MB 1G iPod Shuffle

Mar 9, 2006, 03:49 AM	#25
macorama macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2005	Not long till movies then Definitely sounds like Apple are heading in the direction of a video on demand version of NetFlix. Netflix & Blockbuster etc are really going to be in trouble when that happens - the worst thing about those services is waiting for your discs. If you're downloading your movies it won't be instant, but it'll be much quicker than waiting for the mail... __________________ WWDC Intel Powermacs

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