This will come as a relief to folks who had become addicted to watching shows like The Office and Battlestar Galactica via the comfort of their iPods: NBC and Apple have worked out a deal to return the company's product to the iTunes Store.

The companies seem to have split the difference on their issues. NBC complained about people transferring shows to their iPods as a vehicle for piracy (HUH?) and also wanted to charge different prices for different products.

So high-definition NBC shows will cost $2.99; regular shows at the regular $1.99 price; and "vintage" shows such as Kojak, Miami Vice and A-Team episodes are priced at 99 cents. Users can buy a season pass at a reduced rate and new shows such as Knight Rider and Kath and Kim will be unveiled a week before they debut on TV.

Besides NBC shows, iTunes will eventually offer programs from other NBC outlets, including Oxygen, Telemundo, Mun2 and NBC Sports.

Combine this with the price cut announced today for various iPod models, including the Touch and you have a perfect storm of opportunity for young viewers, who are increasingly watching shows when they want and where they want via media players. The biggest question left: Have we reached a point where online access diminishes broadcast ratings instead of building them? 

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