According to CBS CEO Les Moonves, the network’s TV content could become available to download from iTunes at as low as 99 cents per episode.
The announcement comes on the heels of a campaign started last month by Steve Jobs and Apple (AAPL) content boss Eddy Cue to get the networks to lower their prices.
While neither party is currently making significant revenue selling TV content on iTunes, Networks have been apprehensive about cutting prices. They worry further involvement in downloading ventures could cannibalize existing revenues from syndication and DVD sales.
NBC Universal took its programming off back in 2008 in an effort to earn more through iTunes. They succeeded in obtaining a raise of the price ceiling from $1.99 to $ 2.99 an episode. However, the new strategy proposed by CBS has pricing headed in the opposite direction.
“There are certain shows that will be sold on Apple for 99 cents,” Moonves said during the company’s earnings call on Friday. The details on which shows the network would be providing at these lower prices were not discussed.
It is possible CBS is not planning a completely game-changing stance on iTunes downloading. Like other major networks, CBS already offers older programming and new shows it is promoting at discount prices.
However, going on the context of Moonves’s comments, it is clear CBS is planning its pricing structure on more than a one-off basis.
