• by Wayne Friedman , September 10, 2008

NBC Universal is back on the Apple's iTunes Store--with the TV network company getting, in part, some of the pricing flexibility it always wanted.

Ten of NBC's cable and broadcast networks' series will be available immediately for purchase and download in both standard and high-definition forms. Apple Computer's CEO Steve Jobs made the announcement of the return of NBC's shows to the iTunes lineup at a company event in San Francisco on Tuesday.

In a statement, Jeff Zucker, president-CEO of NBC Universal, said: "The return of our shows to iTunes is terrific news for everyone who loves television and the ease and convenience of Apple's iTunes. By offering consumers a variety of new options, our fans have even more ways to enjoy our content."

NBC shows will not only be available at the usual price of $1.99 per episode, but iTunes will also offer shows in HD at $2.99 per episode. The lineup includes shows from NBC network, USA Network, Sci Fi, Bravo, Sleuth and NBC News. Pricing for older library TV has been altered as well. Series such as "The A-Team," "Kojak" and the original "Battlestar Galactica" will be available for 99 cents per episode.

The premiere episodes of upcoming NBC networks series--"Knight Rider," "My Own Worst Enemy" and "Kath & Kim"--will be available on iTunes a week before their broadcast premieres later in September and October, with following episodes available the day after broadcast.

A year ago, NBC left the iTunes Music Store because of a disagreement with Apple over pricing. NBC wanted to offer price breaks to consumers--who, for example, might want to buy and download a number of NBC shows at the same time. Apple insisted on sticking to its simple $1.99-per-episode price for all of the TV shows it offers. NBC announced that it would offer some catalog times for 99 cents.

Apple's iTunes still commands more than three-quarters of the market for paid downloading music and TV shows. According to press reports, iTunes now has 65 million customers.