Apple likes neat, clean, and uniform pricing on its iTunes Store, though there are exceptions to the rule.  And HBO could be fetching superior deal terms - and possibly elevated pricing - from Apple, according to a recent report in portfolio.com. 

Citing sources on the HBO side, Portfolio noted that programs could surpass the standard, $1.99 price point.  Or, the Time Warner property could extract a higher, per-download percentage, according to the report.

That could ruffle more than a few feathers in both television and music circles.  NBC stepped away from an iTunes partnership because of disagreements related to the $1.99 price, and major labels have been frustrated by an inflexible pricing stance. 

But instead of embracing variable pricing, including elevated prices, Apple has maintained that songs are best sold at 99-cents each.  That has prompted some retaliation from the majors, including preferential, DRM-free licensing for rival AmazonMP3.

portfolio.com, "HBO In Your Pocket"