UK iTunes Store gains TV shows - at a price

By Stephen Withers
Thursday, 30 August 2007 02:21

Home IT

The first TV shows have arrived at Apple's UK iTunes Store, but the price is almost double that charged in the US.

Apple charges its home customers $US1.99 per episode, but UK buyers face a swingeing £1.89 ($US3.81).

Higher prices are something UK iTunes buyers are already used to, with the standard $US0.99 per song translating to £0.79 ($US1.59). That's a hefty markup, even allowing for the imposition of Value Added Tax on digitised products in the EU.

But what is on offer if you are in the UK and you don't mind paying the price?

The roster includes Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey's Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Commander in Chief, Kim Possible, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Pimp My Ride, Dora The Explorer, Genie in the House, SpongeBob SquarePants, South Park and That 70s Show.

The content is encoded at "near DVD quality" with 640 by up to 480 resolution depending on aspect ratio. Most current programming is made in widescreen format.

"We're thrilled to bring TV programming to the iTunes Store in the UK," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "We've got 28 shows and expect to continue to add more great programming."

UK broadcasters BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are already offer 'catch up' download services.