Apple Bytes

Apple has announced that an internal investigation has discovered irregularities related to the issuance of certain stock option grants made between 1997 and 2001. One of the grants in question was to CEO Steve Jobs, but it was subsequently cancelled and resulted in no financial gain to the CEO. A special committee of Apple's outside directors has hired independent counsel to perform an investigation and the company has informed the SEC. Apple executives will refrain from commenting further on this matter until the independent investigation is concluded.

NEW YORK and CUPERTINO, Calif., — MTV Networks and Apple announced that new television programming from Spike TV, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Logo, MTV and The N is now available on the iTunes Music Store. Adding to the hit MTV Networks content already on iTunes, this new round of programming available for purchase and download crosses virtually every genre and includes Spike TV's brand-new action series "Blade: The Series," MTV's prank-comedy show "Viva La Bam" and TV Land's "Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg." MTV Networks' programming has been a huge success on iTunes since debuting earlier this year, with COMEDY CENTRAL's "South Park" alone selling over one million episodes. iTunes now offers over 150 TV shows for $1.99 per episode for viewing on a computer or iPod.
"At MTV Networks, our brands create some of the most vibrant, entertaining and pop culture-defining programming today," said Nicholas Lehman, executive vice president, MTV Networks Digital Media. "We're excited to add more of our diverse programming to iTunes and to connect a broad digital audience with our bold entertainment content."
"MTV Networks' programming has been a hit with customers since launching on iTunes earlier this year," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vice president of iTunes. "iTunes is the world's most popular online video store with over 35 million videos sold, and we continue to expand the catalog of great television content now with over 150 network and cable programs available."
MTV Networks' shows on iTunes include first-time offerings from Spike TV, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Logo and additional content from MTV and The N. The new programming includes full seasons of hits from:
Spike TV: "Blade: The Series," the network's first original scripted action-adventure/drama, builds upon New Line Television/Marvel Studio's successful movie trilogy and brings the main character into new story lines. The two-hour premiere episode will be offered for free, exclusively on iTunes today through July 11. "TNA: iMPACT," the wrestling alternative that delivers high-risk athletic entertainment, integrating well-known superstars with the best up-and-coming talent. "Disorderly Conduct," an adrenaline-packed series with outrageous video footage pulled from police precincts across the country.
TV Land: "Sit Down Comedy with David Steinberg," hosted by legendary comedian, producer and director David Steinberg, is a one-on-one comedy forum where celebrated performers including Larry David, Martin Short, Bob Newhart, Jon Lovitz and George Lopez open up about their personal lives and careers.
Nick at Nite: "Fatherhood," the animated comedy series based on Bill Cosby's best-selling book of the same name; "Hi-Jinks", the hit hidden-camera series where adults play good-natured pranks on kids of all ages.
Logo: "Noah's Arc," the first season of the network's original drama/comedy series; "U.S. of ANT," a reality series following the irreverent comedian ANT; and "Wisecrack," a stand-up comedy series.
MTV: "Viva La Bam," documenting the comical and chaotic life of skateboarding pro and "Jackass" star, Bam Margera.
The N: "Beyond the Break," a drama series about the competitive world of surfing, where four passionate women pursue their dreams of becoming professional surfers.

CUPERTINO, Calif., -- Apple today announced that CEO Steve Jobs will headline a team of Apple executives, including Philip Schiller, senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing; Bertrand Serlet, senior vice president of Software Engineering; and Scott Forstall, vice president of Platform Experience, to kick off the
company's annual Worldwide Developers Conference with a keynote preview of Mac OS X "Leopard" on Monday, August 7, 2006, beginning at 10:00 a.m. at San Francisco's Moscone West. Throughout WWDC, developers will receive detailed information and best practices on developing Universal applications that take advantage of the performance of Intel-based Macs, including special sessions on performance optimization using Apple software development tools.
The five-day event, which runs from August 7 to August 11, will deliver more than 175 technical sessions and labs with new content designed to serve a wide range of Mac(R) developers, including tracks that preview Leopard and dozens of hands-on labs providing opportunities to work developer-to-developer with Apple engineers.
The cost of the five-day conference is $1,595 per attendee, with a $300 Early Registration Discount that has been extended through July 7. Visit Apple's WWDC website for registration and complete session details at Apple.com.