Last night, during “The Office” (which, by the way, heavily featured the Apple iPod as a “$20 Secret Santa” Christmas party gift exchange goes awry when Michael turns it into a “Yankee Swap” and everyone vies for the Apple iPod Michael bought for Ryan despite the $20 limit), NBC began running a lower-third graphic that announced to viewers that “The Office” is now available from Apple’s iTunes Music Store. The graphic ran for about :05 seconds and ran at least twice during the half-hour program. It featured a rather large Apple logo as well.
NBC’s “The Office” via Apple’s iTunes Music Store here.
We have no information about whether Apple is paying for or helping underwrite these nice little silent promos, but there’s a good possibility that these graphics spring from NBC’s Promotions Department and cost Apple nothing. Obviously, this is excellent free advertising for Apple, if that is the case. And, if Apple’s paying a little something, it’s still excellent advertising for Apple.
We’ll try to get a screen grab. If you have one, please email to
Advertisements: The New iMac G5. Built-in camera and remote control. From $1299. Free shipping.
Apple USB Modem. Easily connect to the Internet using your dial-up service. $49.00.
The New iPod with Video. The ultimate music & video experience on the go. From $299. Free shipping.
Connect iPod to your television set with the iPod AV Cable. Just $19.00.
Related articles:
NBC Universal President Zucker says more new TV shows coming soon to Apple’s iTunes Store – December 06, 2005
NBC Universal & Apple offer new shows on U.S. iTunes Music Store, iTunes video sales top 3 million – December 06, 2005
Apple adds NBC-owned TV Shows to online iTunes Store – December 06, 2005
I am really surprised to hear that there is a forced subsidy of the BBC. Seems like a socialist style violation of the market economy that I wouldn’t expect from britain. france, germany, maybe but I thought england was more committed to capitalism than that.
Also I have to disagree that it results in a high calibur show. British TV has had it’s jewels, Monty Python, Who’s Line is it Anyway, british journalism tends to be better, but I would definitely not say that the majority of tv programs have better production values. I’m watching british TV right now in London and to me it seems like the budgets are really low; most of the TV shows look amatuer. Bad plots, forced dialogue, bad acting, I guess all the good actors go into theater, bad sets and lighting. Where is that 10 pound a month tax going?