NBC to Sell News Specials on iTunes

 
By Stacy May 30, 2006




NBC has been making some pretty good progress in the online television market. If you consider the cable channels under the NBC Universal umbrella, it has a huge presence on the web. Now it is adding even more programming to its iTunes offerings.

NBC already has some of its regular shows for sale on iTunes, including the popular Law and Order franchise, now it will expand into news. NBC will become the first network to sell its news specials and news interviews on iTunes. It will offer historical pieces from its catalogue along with content from CNBC and MSNBC.

According to ZDNet News, the program topics will be fairly broad;

NBC will be releasing historical content from its "time capsule." The famous "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Tour" from February 1962 and the "Martin Luther King Jr.: Look Here" interview from 1957 are now available. Also included are Tom Brokaw's "Greatest Generation" pieces; Tim Russert's "Meet the Presidents" series, as well as select "Meet the Press" episodes; and some Brian Williams' documentaries.

The programs will be priced at the standard $1.99. I think for some of the historical footage that might be hard to find elsewhere, that this is a pretty good deal. NBC should perhaps follow CNN and Discovery Channels lead and make educational downloads for its programs. This might boost their marketability.

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