NBC Quits iTunes


The New York Times (free subscription required) reports that NBC will remove its shows from Apple's iTunes Store once its contract expires.

NBC's shows currently account for 40% of all online video sales. The company's new strategy is NBCU, a joint venture between the network and Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

NBC's move marks the second major departure from the iTS. Although Universal hasn't pulled its music from the store, it is reviewing its product presence on the iTS on a month-by-month basis.

Analysis: But what these companies are forgetting is that they need to sell their product as iPod-compatible; the proportion of competing portable video players out there is small, while iPod continues to dominate. Sure, you can play them on your PC or TV, but people want to have the convenience of having shows available in their pocket, at airports, on buses, in cars.