After numerous complaints were made about its decision to split AMC’s Breaking Bad Season 5 finale into two separate Season Passes on iTunes, Apple has started to issue refunds.
The company typically allows you to buy TV shows per episode or a full series as what it calls a ‘Season Pass’, allowing the latest episode to be downloaded after it airs directly from iTunes and then onto iOS devices.
However, Season 5 of Breaking Bad was separated by a (painful) break which split the 16 episode series into two parts. Fans of the show, which follows the story of chemistry teacher-turned meth kingpin Walter White, subscribed to the Season Pass for Season 5 at the start, expecting to receive all 16 episodes as part and parcel of the deal. However, Apple then made the second half of the Season into its own separate Season Pass which would need to be purchased separately to the first half, effectively doubling the spend for fans who wanted to watch via iTunes.
Of course, the move incensed many, with one fan even suing Apple over the case. We’re now hearing reports that the Cupertino company will be dodging any potential lawsuits by issuing iTunes credit for the original Season Pass, which equates to $23 or £18, if you ordered the HD version. One such email from Apple to a customer reads as follows:
“Dear Customer,
We apologize for any confusion the naming of “Season 5” and “The Final Season” of Breaking Bad might have caused you. While the names of the seasons and episodes associated with them were not chosen by iTunes, we’d like to offer you “The Final Season” on us by providing you with the iTunes code below in the amount of $22.99. This credit can also be used for any other content on the iTunes Store. Thank you for your purchase.”
It would seem that Apple got itself in trouble mainly by referring to the first half of Season 5 and its Season Pass as “The Final Season”, which technically it is, if the company were to provide the whole season as one pass. Either way, it’s nice to see this cleared up.
The final episode of Breaking Bad – ever – airs on AMC this coming Sunday, and via Netflix in the UK on Monday 30th September.