Buying episodes of TV shows

There are many TV shows you can purchase from the iTunes Store and download to your computer. You can also download shows with your Apple TV, or to your iPhone or iPod touch using a Wi-Fi network.

Note:You can download a show to an iPhone or iPod touch only if you use the device to buy the show.

To buy TV shows:

  1. In iTunes, click iTunes Store (below Store, on the left side of the iTunes window).

  2. In the iTunes Store, select TV Shows from the navigation bar at the top of the iTunes Store window.

  3. When you find a TV show you want to purchase, do one of the following:

    • To buy one episode, click Buy Episode on the show’s page in the iTunes Store.

    • To purchase all episodes available for the current season, click Buy All Episodes. This option does not purchase new episodes when they become available.

    • For some shows, you can buy multiple episodes at a discount by purchasing a pass. There are two kinds of passes:

    Season Pass: To purchase all episodes of the current season, click Buy Season Pass. All currently available episodes are downloaded to iTunes on your computer. As soon as a new episode is available, you’re notified by email and the episode is put in your download queue. (For shows whose seasons are complete, click Buy Season to purchase and download all episodes.)

    Multi-Pass: Designed for shows that don’t have traditional “seasons” (news programs, for example), the Multi-Pass purchases a set number of episodes. When you buy this pass, the latest episode is downloaded to your computer. As soon as each remaining episode is available, you’re notified by email and the episode is put in your download queue.

To make sure you have the latest episodes, choose Store > “Check for Available Downloads.” To turn automatic email notification on or off, go to the iTunes Store, click your account name (in the upper-right corner of the iTunes Store window), log in, and then click View Passes.

Important:If you buy a season pass and then buy an individual episode, you’re charged again for the episode. If you see that an episode is available but it hasn’t yet been downloaded to your computer, choose Store > “Check for Available Downloads.”

Some shows in the iTunes Store are available for purchase in HD-quality format. When you buy an HD TV show, iTunes downloads both HD and standard-definition files, so you can also watch the show on your iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV. When you sync the show to your iPod, iPhone, or Apple TV, iTunes automatically transfers the correct file. To watch the show on your computer in standard definition, go to Edit > Preferences > Playback, and then select “Play videos using standard definition version.”

Many shows are available for download and purchase the day after they air; some shows may not be available for a few days. TV shows and passes are not available in all countries.

You can’t burn video content purchased from the iTunes Store to DVD.


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Buying episodes of TV shows