NBC: The Shows are Back!

During today’s “Let’s Rock” Event, Steve Jobs announced the triumphant return of NBC networks content to the iTunes store. Lovers of such shows as “Battlestar Galactica,” “Monk,” “Psych,” “The Office,” and “Miami Vice” (you know you’re still out there, even after all these years!) can once again get their fix of TV shows.

Good news in the announcement includes not only the return of content from networks such as NBC, USA, Telemundo, Oxygen, and NBC Sports, but the added bonus of HD content for all shows. Standard Definition shows will start at $1.99 per show, or $0.99 for library titles, while High Definition shows will be available for $2.99 (no library feature here, as most older shows were not filmed in high-def to begin with). Season Pass pricing was not announced, and will presumably be on a per-show basis, but details include the ability to purchase an HD season pass. No word on whether HD content is compatible with iPods, but AppleTV is certainly capable of handling the content, so non-TiVo users can finally enter the 21st century!

Other details of the announcement include free sneak peaks to shows from the upcoming season. NBC Universal will release the premier episodes of new shows, such as “Knight Rider” and “My Own Worst Enemy” as free iTunes downloads a full week before their on-air premiers. Check the store during September and October to catch these shows, which will presumably be free up until they air on the networks. Library titles confirmed available include the original “Battlestar Galactica,” “The Alfred Hitchcock Hour,” and “Kojak.” No word yet on availability of more recent shows, such as “Will & Grace” or “Quantum Leap”.

Via [Apple Press Release]