Apple ends its TV episode rental service

**p.pipster** · 08-27-2011, 11:45 AM

Now this comes as a surprise. I really thought the TV rental idea was hitting off with customers as opposed to purchasing them.

**Sponsor** · 08-27-2011 11:45 AM

**rbenzon** · 08-27-2011, 03:27 PM

my gut tells me that movies are better watched in big screens, in HD and with a group of people than TV shows. blockbuster movies are much more special events than tv shows. that said, movies make better sense rented, while TV shows may make better sense owned, when they can be watched beyond the rental period.

my house is but one example. i watch TV shows that my wife purchases but at a much later time (days or weeks). she watches on her laptop or ipad and i watch on my desktop. but HD rentals we watch together in our home theater.

perhaps, the rest of the world think like us.

**Salaryman Ryan** · 08-27-2011, 05:32 PM

I guess people would rather pay a little more to "own" the movie.

**Theus** · 08-27-2011, 06:11 PM

not an issue for me as i never really got into renting TV shows on iTunes.

Originally Posted by Salaryman Ryan

I guess people would rather pay a little more to "own" the movie.

haha, yes, that "little more" (usually USD15.00) creates dilemmas for me after renting a movie. now i'm thinking of buying "Rango" after renting/watching it last night with the kids. took me almost a week from renting before finally deciding to buy "Rio"

**powerseller** · 08-30-2011, 05:16 AM

I think originally Apple bet on people rent TV show episodes because they miss one or two episodes on the TV.

Probably that assumption is wrong. People like to own TV shows to re-watch them or as said above to share among family members.

**brayan** · 09-06-2011, 07:45 PM

Maybe they are going to implement a new subscription service for TV rentals.

**powerseller** · 09-07-2011, 03:06 AM

Just read the news that Starz ends Netflix streaming licence on their fairly new movies.

It is reported that Starz asks for a lot of money (billions) comparing to hundred of millions dollars that Netflix used to pay.

I guess hiking in price may make iTunes to kill the streaming service, especially if currently it does not make much money :slanted:

**Mad Mac** · 09-07-2011, 10:04 AM

This is not a surprise. People by nature like collecting things. We're born hunters and gatherers. We haven't really evolved much since our flight from Africa.

Renting is not having. Owning is having. It is that simple. This applies from the smallest of things to owning the biggest buildings. You just don't feel secure renting. Something isn't complete.