Apple introduced its low cost TV show rental program for the iTunes Store during an iPod and media-related press event in early September. ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel and BBC America are already on board, but NBC Universal isn’t interested in participating.
Time Warner isn’t singling out Apple. Mr. Bewkes doesn’t have any plans to strike any deals with Amazon, either, because he thinks offering lower cost content through both companies services would devalue shows.
Despite Mr. Bewkes disdain for Apple’s streaming rental service, that isn’t stopping him from offering TV shows for sale through the iTunes Store. Presumably he doesn’t see selling TV shows through the iTunes Store as a threat to the networks that are buying his content.