According to sources, NBC Universal and Apple are close to a deal that will make programs from NBC"s broadcast network and several cable channels such as USA Network and Sci Fi Channel available on-demand on Apple"s iTunes store. While neither company would disclose details, the report in The
Hollywood Reporter says the deal could cover a wide variety of programs across multiple genres, including NBC"s late night shows "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," "Late Night with Conan O"Brien," and even "Saturday Night Live."
In other iPod video news, ABC Sports and ESPN president George Bodenheimer has been quoted as saying that ESPN could join its sister Walt Disney Co. owned networks ABC and Disney Channel in providing on-demand programming for the iPod Video. ESPN already makes programming available for cell phones.