Monday, May 5, 2008 -- 11:03 p.m. -- at my desk

**UPDATE 5/6 11:25 a.m. --it seems that some NBC/Universal shows are available on the UK iTunes store and that variable pricing is involved. I know Heroes is available, but not sure about the show specifics. Perhaps Kim or someone from the UK has some insight for us.**

No, I'd never tell you to go out and buy a Zune. But the AP reports tonight that Microsoft is adding TV shows to the Zune Marketplace and that the shows include popular NBC shows.

To hear the AP tell it, this puts Microsoft closer to Apple in terms of its portable media offering. Obviously Jessica Mintz of the AP is unfamiliar with iPods and iPhones or she would have never written that. Although Mintz does later say that Zune has more catching up to do to compete directly with Apple.

Starting Tuesday, Zune customers (all 4 of them) will be able to buy episodes of "South Park" and "Battlestar Galactica" for $1.99 each. Plus, NBC shows like "Heroes" and "The Office" will be available as well.

Now this interesting ... I'm literally reading this from the wire now ... the software update Monday night will make it possible to synchronize several Zunes wirelessly and simultaneously with the same computer.

I gotta give Microsoft props ... it's not giving up its battle royale with Apple ... that's good because hopefully it's going to keep Steve and company engaged and ahead of the game.

In the meantime, if you happen to have and use a Zune, I'd love to hear from you. I always joke that there are 4 Zune users in the world, but of course I'm just kidding.

There may be as many as 6.

Thanks for calling.

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Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha................ROFL!

SCOTT'S REPLY: :-D

Gotta say - I wish some of those shows were available via iTunes ... not that I'm rushing out to be Zune owner #5 or anything. ;-)

SCOTT'S REPLY: LOL. They used to be available. And then NBC and Apple got into a little spat and we're where we are.

This sounds like the latest in the Apple/NBC grudge match. It was annoying when BSG vanished from iTunes; I used to watch it on my iPod on transatlantic flights. The general pissiness between content provides and Apple is not really good for anybody.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Certainly not good for the consumer and that's who the companies need to be thinking about.

Hmm, for that matter, I'd even be interested in hearing from anybody who happens to know one of these Zune owners. 'Zune owner' seems like an urban myth.

SCOTT"S REPLY: I agree. I have yet to see one. If the 4 owners are all in a conference room at Microsoft, that doesn't count!

Zune and Vista are synonymous with incompetence. It could
be gold plated and free and I wouldn't own one.

SCOTT'S REPLY: I'd own one, but I'd melt it down and create a bracelet.

Ohhh a task for me :-) Actually, I never buy from the UK store as I have a US iTunes account and I haven't even looked on the UK site since they started selling TV shows. But I do have a UK account and have had a look. NBC isn't listed as a Studio or Channel but Heroes is on there, listed under Universal. Finding NBC specific shows is a bit tricky. Is the dispute with just NBC or Universal too? (or are they one and the same?)

Chuck is on UK iTunes (listed against Warner Bros. but I see it's on NBC in the US). No Scrubs, ER, My Name is Earl, The Office or 30 Rock. House shows against Universal - not sure if that was removed from US iTunes.

I guess it depends if the show is owned by the studio (ie Warners) or NBC itself. But if Heroes can be on the UK iTunes then why not US?

Maybe the price has something to do with it, or maybe the UK network it's aired on, or maybe it's all influenced by the daily price of banana's - who knows!

Heroes Season one is 1.89 GBP per episode which is consistent with things in the UK being more expensive. That's about $3.80 per episode. Season 2 is the same price per episode.

Season pass is 43.47 GBP which is a probably around $86, depending on the exchange rate.

Having explored UK iTunes I'm off to download Shaun the Sheep and Gavin & Stacey.

SCOTT'S REPLY: Wow! That's some great information, Kim!! I'm not sure how the NBC/Universal naming convention works between the continents.

I LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEE HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (but Im never moving to the dark side aka Microsoft)

SCOTT'S REPLY: I believe that Heroes and the rest of the NBC cast will eventually return to the U.S. version of iTunes -- however, I don't think it will be tomorrow and I think Apple will need to make some concessions to make the folks at NBC happy.

Maybe Apple is relenting on variable pricing, maybe (although I rather they relent on commercials, that would be a win-win-win). And don't make the laffs at the Microsoft, remember the sayings of old, "Never to underestimate the powers of large group of stupid peoples"

SCOTT'S REPLY: Very nicely stated.

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