iTunes USA

[sezzo16]

If i get a iTunes gift card, can i get TV shows of the American iTunes or not?

[Buenchico]

Probably not.

The US iTunes site doesn't have the distribution rights to make services available to the UK. When you try to download anything from the site, your IP address will show that you're in the UK and the download will be refused.

Chris

[sezzo16]

Ok, i can download podcasts though?! thats where i was getting confused!

[Buenchico]

Once again, it will depend upon distribution rights (and the way that iTunes configure their software).

As an analogy, consider the way that the BBC make their local radio programs available online. I can listen to, say, BBC Radio Suffolk, anywhere in the UK or throughout the world. However, as soon as they transmit a commentary on an Ipswich Town football match, listeners outside of the UK will find they can no longer listen to the station. (This is because the BBC don't have international broadcast rights for football commentaries).

The BBC have got their software well-configured so that it only blocks 'illegal' transmissions but allows everything else through. It's possible that iTunes might have their software configured to block all downloads to the UK from their US site, irrespective of whether they hold international distribution rights. It's difficult to be sure but I certainly wouldn't invest any money on an iTunes gift card without first e-mailing the iTunes people to check on the availability of downloads to the UK:
http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/store/down load/#form

Chris

[fo3nix]

You can download podcasts, yes.