The option to rent episodes of TV shows is no longer available on either the Apple TV, or when browsing content via Apple’s iTunes application. Previously, participating networks offered users the ability to rent a TV episode for 99 cents, with 30 days to begin watching and 48 hours to complete it.
“iTunes customers have shown they overwhelmingly prefer buying TV shows. iTunes in the Cloud lets customers download and watch their past TV purchases from their iOS devices, Apple TV, Mac or PC allowing them to enjoy their programming whenever and however they choose.”
Too bad, I really liked renting TV shows.
I agree. If I get little repeat viewing out of movies, I get even less out of TV shows. It’s not even so much the cost of purchasing them, as I don’t really need to have them eating up drive space.
Unfortunately I think Apple ran into a loggerhead where they couldn’t get any additional networks onboard beyond the ones they had the inside track with. So they were only able to offer rentals on a very small portion of their TV catalogue, which is frustrating for the customer. I know it always brings a curse to my lips when a film isn’t available for rent. I know this isn’t Apple’s doing, but it’s damnable nonetheless.
Hopefully though this is only a sign that something better is coming, be it a subscription service or something else. If this is the case, we should know in about a month at the Fall music/iPhone event.
Hopefully these subscription services turn out to be why Apple is ending rentals.
Also, with the advent of iCloud, you won’t necessarily have to keep your purchases on your system, so you can grab it when you do wish to watch it again. granted, maybe that won’t be often, but if it allows Apple to get more shows (those the producers don’t want rented) or streamlines their service for better support… well, the customers have spoken with their dollars.
Seriously, is there one person under the sun who didn’t like renting tv shows? I mean IF they were available.
Strangely apple and fox are trying to add a strange spin to this
The Apple-Way would have been rent for a buck and pay two bucks more to keep. But who would spend the extra two?
Reason is that the studios don’t believe in low price but high volume. T
I really hope Tim can disrupt this business as Steve did with music…
Meh. I tried it once with a free episode, never got around to watching it, & it expired. I would rather spend the extra dollar & buy an episode.
Seems obvious to me that Apple wouldn’t have cancelled renting if it was working for BOTH studios and customers.
I don’t understand. Why didn’t you rent it when you were ready to watch it?