Rumor: Apple set to launch 'iTunes Replay' for re-downloading, streaming
The Apple TV set-top box and the iTunes Store were updated on Monday to allow users to re-download TV shows they have already purchased. According to AppAdvice, Apple is expected to add that functionality for movies in the near future.
The report claims users will be able to see which content can be re-downloaded with an arrow indicating that content is "iTunes Replay eligible." In order for content to qualify, Apple must have secured the appropriate licenses.
Apple is also expected to add streaming of content to its so-called "iTunes Replay" service. The company is said to be testing the service internally, and it will launch publicly in a matter of weeks.
Sources also reportedly indicated that some content will only be available to download a maximum of five times. The site said they "don't know how streaming will count towards that limit."
In early June, Apple launched its iTunes in the Cloud service, which allows users to re-download music and applications previously downloaded. The service, powered by Apple's $1 billion server farm in North Carolina, even allowed users to re-download applications that have been removed from the App Store.
AppleInsider first reported in 2009 that Apple was working on an "iTunes Replay" service that could allow re-downloading of content, as well as streaming to devices without a need to save files locally. But the company is believed to have been held up by licensing issues, some of which were settled in negotiations with content providers this year.
During Apple's quarterly earnings conference call last month, Chief Financial Officer Peter Oppenheimer teased that his company would be making changes on the iTunes Store in the coming months. Oppenheimer revealed that Apple has "neat stuff coming" to the iTunes Store in the near future.
Before this year's Worldwide Developers Conference, numerous reports indicated that Apple had reached streaming music agreements with all four major record companies. But at WWDC, Apple's formal announcement of the iCloud service only included the $25-per-year iTunes Match, which allows users to re-download songs through iTunes that they have purchased elsewhere.
19 Comments
About time. What a novel idea, let me re-download something I already paid for and own. Movie studios have to stop holding this up. It's only hurting them and pushing people towards piracy if you make it difficult for them to get to content THEY ALREADY PAID FOR!
I personally would buy a lot more of my movies on iTunes if I knew I could re-download them or stream them at any time. Adds a lot to the value proposition of buying digital copies over physical media.
I can't wait to see what happens if Ultraviolet takes off.
It's going to end up Apple vs the-rest-of-the-world.
Movie studios have to stop holding this up. It's only hurting them and pushing people towards piracy if you make it difficult for them to get to content THEY ALREADY PAID FOR!
As above. I think it has more to do with studios wanting to maintain control and not have Apple rule all digital media like they already rule digital music, rather than a blatant disregard for the future.
There are going to be some head clashes around this over the next few years. Hopefully it ends up bloody.
I can't wait
As of Monday August 2 I was able to download any TV shows I had purchased from Apple through the iTunes store via a new section called purchased. There is an iCloud button with a download arrow. It also worked on my iPhone with version 4.3. I downloaded a show I bought 2 years ago at no charge.
I can't wait to see what happens if Ultraviolet takes off.
Except everything that Ultraviolet promises to let you do you can already legally do for free, so there's no point to it existing except to increase the cost of physical media.
LIKE THAT WRETCHED "DIGITAL COPY" BLASPHEMY.
I'm NOT buying an "Ultraviolet computer", "Ultraviolet TV", or anything else specifically designed for Ultraviolet. I refuse to spend extra money for something I can legally do for free. It's abject nonsense and I won't have it.