According to NewTeeVee when that new iOS based Apple TV hits, Apple may bring 99¢ streaming rentals to the device. That is, of course, assuming that the TV studios go along with the idea. Rentals of TV episodes would work in much the same way as movie rentals are done through iTunes; once a users rents a TV episode they would have 30 days to start watching it, once the user starts to watch it they then have 24 hours before it expires.
Currently rentals are downloaded directly to the users system, with this new method everything would be moved to the cloud and streamed to the user. This really isn’t any different that offerings from Hulu, Netflix or Amazon.
As far as the competition goes, Hulu which offers some free content just announced the Hulu Plus ad-suported subscription service. It will cost users $10 per month for access to their content library, which is primarily content from ABC, FOX, and NBC.
Netflix offers streaming services for a buck cheaper than Hulu Plus and has a pretty wide selection of shows. They also have the bonus of streaming Starz content.
Amazon’s Video on Demand service doesn’t currently allow renting of TV episodes, however it will allow you to buy single episodes for $1.99 or buy a season pass which brings the price per episode down by 10¢.
Can Apple take over the living room with a new Apple TV and lower renting cost of TV episodes? Or is it too little, too late? My only question is, will this service come to the iPhone and iPad? [NewTeeVee]
