An Amazon-Apple TV technology tension is gradually grabbing the attention of the public. After Apple iPod Touch TV’s facelift in the first of September, in the form of a more affordable and dual-camera ready version, buy-and-sell e-venue Amazon.com Inc. bound itself to trounce the trendsetting i-company via TV viewing price cuts, as well as its own Internet-based monthly movie and TV program rental offering.
The Amazon-Apple TV price lock in the realm of TV show downloads was derived from the formal introduction of the fresh pricing scheme for the latter’s phone-based TV. Avid Apple TV viewers could more inexpensively enjoy individual HD TV episodes by shelling out a smaller 99-cent charge. In addition, movie buffs can rejoice and feast on the $4.99 fee for availing themselves of HD films, in time with their premier release in DVD format.
San Francisco, California-located Yerba Buena Center for the Arts witnessed the warm welcome party, which was devoted to the re-launch of the IT company’s cheaper gadget. The tech-themed super affair normally features new twists to the iTunes Net store as well. Note that the Californian Art Center also served as the hand-picked venue for the iPad’s debut to the tech world a little over than four months ago, prior to the Amazon-Apple TV rivalry.
The Seattle, Washington-housed multinational electronic enterprise is already in the expanding digital media business with its video-on-demand (VoD) offering, as well as the TV show line-up for rental. The Amazon-Apple TV duel was established by the former, dropping 67% off its usual dues, or two dollars down to watch each show.
Amazon’s Music and video Vice President Bill Carr cared much to match competing services, price-wise. This aggressive attitude, along with the signs of the online-enabled media times, will most probably blaze a sustained Amazon-Apple TV battle.
TV network selection is another Amazon-Apple TV point of contention. While News Corp., CBS Broadcasting Inc. and the Disney Channel are in the process of negotiating with the earlier 99-cent seller, the e-commerce-powered giant shopping library are arranging with Time Warner and Apple’s previously problematic partner, NBC Universal.
On-and-off presence of the entertainment media outfit resulted from pricing policy disagreements. As early as 2007, NBC was already steadfast in its decision to reduce prices a dollar lower than the traditional $1.99 billing of Apple. The 99-cent apiece appears to have become the standard TV program price point, as proven by the recent Amazon-Apple TV fee alignment.
Amazon’s proposed limitless access subscription service is a potential threat to digital movie streaming source Netflix, which incidentally, teamed up with Apple. The consumer-centered electronics company-Net-based entertainment site union was positioned to permit gradual penetration of the former into catalog content, while the latter benefits from a profitability boost from the per-view inflow, versus the flat-rate unlimited fee. However, the Netflix-Apple tandem could also be seen as defensive strategy against Amazon’s action, further fueling what could be perceived as an Amazon-Apple TV showdown.
