NBC to end sale of shows on iTunes

NEW YORK, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- NBC Universal, citing an inability to strike a deal on pricing, said it opted not to renew its contract to sell downloads of its American TV shows on iTunes.

NBC Universal -- the top supplier of digital video to Apple’s online store, accounting for about 40 percent of downloads -- notified Apple, based in Cupertino, Calif., of its decision Thursday, a person familiar with the negotiations told The New York Times.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the media conglomerate in New York sought better piracy controls and wanted Apple to allow it to bundle videos to increase revenue, the Times reported Friday.

The two companies could still reach an agreement on a new contract before their current deal expires in December, the source told the Times. The nearly 1,500 hours of NBC Universal’s news, sports and entertainment programming will be available on iTunes at least until then.

NBC Universal is the second major iTunes supplier recently to leave over pricing and packaging issues. In July, the Universal Music Group of Vivendi, the world’s biggest music corporation, said it wouldn't renew its contract with iTunes.