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Back in mid-April, NBC said it would entertain the idea of selling its TV shows via iTunes if Apple would permit "flexible" (ie higher) pricing and build anti-piracy filters into the iPod. Today, New York Times reports that those are the terms Microsoft agreed to in order to get NBC video content on its online video store and into also-ran media player, the Zune. So, although Microsoft will charge $1.99 per episode for the three NBC shows it's offering right now, NBC has the "flexibility" to change that amount later (ie raise the price)—something Apple has steadfastly refused to allow. In fact, during the run up to NBC' removal of its content from iTunes, Apple stated that the broadcaster wanted to more than double episode prices from $1.99 to $4.99 as a condition for selling its content. Regarding anti-piracy filters, in January, Apple passed on joining an NBC-led initiative, of which Microsoft participant, to prevent or limit the "illegal" transfer of content via the internet and electronic devices. [u] Quoting a Microsoft issued statement, MacUser UK reports that, "Microsoft has no plans or commitments to implement content filtering features in the Zune family of devices as part of our content distribution deal with NBC." [u] Who are you going to believe? Microsoft is already paying Universal's $1 per player music tax and is member of NBC' anti-piracy initiative, so it doesn't seem much of a stretch to believe that NBC got exactly what it wanted... [u] What's your take?
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