Along with the iTunes 7.6.1 update, Apple yesterday introduced “Weekend Movie Picks,” inspired by the existing “Single of the Week” feature. Every Thursday to Monday, a library title will be available for rental at the steeply discounted price of $0.99, but with the same privileges as normal rented movies. The first one this week is The Hours. Grab it while it lasts.
Update: To find the discounted weekend rental, all you have to do is visit the Movies section of the iTunes Store between Thursday and Monday. Keep your eye on the three banners at the top of the page. One of them will eventually change to the weekend movie pick banner similar to the one pictured above and you’ll have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a race against time to get your mouse cursor to it before it disappears again. At least at present, this seems to be the only way to access it. If something changes in future, we’ll keep you updated.
Last week, Apple offered "Breakfast at Tiffany's" as a weekend rental special for $0.99. So "The Hours" is the 2nd weekend rental special.
Does this mean you have 72 hours to watch it?
This is great! So where does one go in the iTunes Music Store to find the Movie Pick every week?
I'd also like to know where one finds the weekend rental.
@Kieran Hogan,
No, you don't. You have exactly the same privileges as normal movies rentals, i.e. 30 days to start watching it and then 24 hours to complete it. :)
"you'll have the wonderful opportunity to participate in a race against time to get your mouse cursor to it before it disappears again. At least at present, this seems to be the only way to access it."
Actually, all you have to do is make note of the title of movie that's being offered in the banner ad (the banner will say, for example, The Hours), and then search for that movie using the search option. When you find the movie through search, it'll be available to rent for 99 cents.
You can find it on the AppleTV by just searching for it in the Movies section. It shows up as being $0.99.
I created http://www.99rental.com since I couldn't find a way to be notified of the movie when it came out. Hope this helps everyone.