Variety has some sophisticated observations to make about the Apple-NBC dustup:

In the background, however, was a development with which [Apple capo] Jobs is likely concerned: Two years after Apple started selling TV shows via iTunes and a year after it added movies, Hollywood is still not fully aboard with his vision and has chafed, in some cases, against Apple’s firm grip on the high-end content download-on-demand biz.

After months of negotiations, insiders say Apple still has only a few studios aboard for its effort to add movie rentals to iTunes. If and when it launches, the service could be a boon to Apple TV, which hasn’t gained much traction with consumers since launching last spring.

So Apple’s vulnerable, right? Not so much. The story says Apple’s decision to pull NBC product right away was hardball:

That could hurt NBC at a time when it needs to convert at least one of its new shows into a hit. NBC execs attributed the staying power of “The Office” last fall to its popularity on iTunes.

[…]

It’s believed NBC would like other nets and studios to follow its lead, but so far, there’s been no movement on that front. ABC and CBS, for example, have strong relationships with Apple, and industry analysts believe it’s unlikely either net will go to war with Apple any time soon.