The worst deal on iTunes: $19.99 for a made-for-TV movie
Despite the last few lackluster seasons, I’m still a fan of the Fox show 24. So naturally, I wanted to see the 90-minute mini-movie that debuted this week: 24: Redemption. So when I missed it on TV, I decided to load up iTunes to see about downloading it. Then I saw the price: $19.99.
That must be the worst deal on iTunes.
While I think most of the shows in high definition are overpriced on iTunes, this 24 “movie” is utterly ridiculous. When new-release Hollywood movies (as in the kind that actually go to movie theaters) are only $14.99 or less, how can you justify $19.99 for a made-for-TV movie? Because it’s in HD? It’s not like iTunes HD is Blu-ray quality HD, it’s marginally better than the standard definition version.
So am I paying $19.99 for 17 extra minutes of footage? If anything, I’m willing to bet those 17 minutes drag out what is a decidedly bad episode of 24.
Sure, I could pay $14.99 for the standard definition version, but that’s just as bad of a deal. If anything, this video is essentially two episodes of 24, and should be priced as such: $4 for standard definition, $6 for high definition. Or, seeing as it’s really just a promotion for the upcoming season of 24 which starts in January — and a bad one at that — maybe free would be a better price.
That’s exactly the price you’ll find it for on Hulu. If you live in the U.S. and can access it there (or the new Sling.com), do yourself a favor and save $20.
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About the Author, MG Siegler
MG Siegler writes about technology trends and new media for VentureBeat, with a focus on mobile topics, social elements and key news stories. Before that, MG wrote about technology on his blog, ParisLemon. Originally from Ohio, MG attended the University of Michigan where he studied film. He's previously lived in Los Angeles where he worked in Hollywood and in San Diego where he did web development. He now lives in San Francisco.