NBC and Apple are back in tune

NBC Universal ended its battle with Apple Inc. on Tuesday, restoring some of the most downloaded TV shows to the iTunes store. With the return of such series as "The Office," "Heroes" and "30 Rock," the companies ended a feud that erupted last September over Apple's insistence on a $1.99 price for all shows. Analysts said the two appeared to be meeting in the middle, with Apple agreeing to allow a little flexibility but not giving NBC carte blanche to change the prices of shows. The rift with NBC had been seen as a sign of Hollywood's fear that Apple was amassing too much power in digital media distribution. At the time, NBC's cable networks supplied iTunes with three of its 10 bestselling shows, accounting for 30% of TV show sales. The technology company said NBC had wanted to charge as much as $4.99 a show. NBC disputed Apple's claim and said it wanted to package shows together with variable pricing.