"Sopranos," other HBO shows on iTunes for $2.99/episode

Just a day after reports that HBO was talking to Apple about adding its shows to iTunes, six of the premium networks' most popular shows—yes, "The Sopranos" included—are now for sale on iTunes. But you can kiss the days of the fixed $1.99-per-episode pricing goodbye.

Here are the HBO shows available from iTunes at the old $1.99/episode pricing scheme: "Flight of the Conchords" (season one), "Sex and the City" (all seasons), and "The Wire" (season one).

Then we have the big guns: "Deadwood" (season one), "Rome" (season one), and "The Sopranos" (seasons one and six, both parts)—all for $2.99 an episode.

Of course, the move is a major break from Apple's old policy of fixed pricing for its music and TV offerings. Until now, all the TV shows on iTunes—including those from Showtime, HBO's premium-channel rival—have sold for $1.99 each.

This development leads to a few key questions.

Number one: Could it mean that NBC, which yanked its shows off iTunes last year in a dispute over pricing and anti-piracy measures, is poised to kiss and make up with Apple? I've grown tired of the Apple-NBC guessing game, but Apple's apparent decision to go with flexible pricing is a huge, and potentially game-changing, concession.

The second question: Will other networks now selling their shows on iTunes follow suit and raise prices? Frankly, I don't see why not. From everything I've heard, networks execs don't feel like they're making much money from iTunes anyway, so they might be willing to lose a few customers if it means more overall cash. Look for pay-network Showtime to be the first network to boost prices for series such as, say, "The Tudors" and "Weeds."

And the third: Will viewers pay $2.99 for TV episodes?

Personally, I've been happy to pay $1.99 for a TV episode—at that price, I barely even think about it. But for $2.99, well... that's a movie rental on Apple TV. If we're talking an episode of "The Sopranos" from HBO—a for-pay network—then $2.99 might be worth it. But "The Office"? I don't think I'd cough up $2.99 for a half-hour comedy, especially one I can record on my DVR—in HD—for free.

What do you think—will you pay $2.99 for HBO shows on iTunes? What about for shows on other networks, like NBC (if its shows return to iTunes, that is)?

Related:
HBO just added to iTunes, some episodes cost $2.99 [The Unofficial Apple Weblog]