Apple is close to confirming a deal with the US cable network HBO to start selling the channel's shows on its iTunes store.

It will be the first time that HBO has made its successful portfolio of shows, such as The Sopranos and Sex and the City, available in electronic form and episodes are likely to be sold at a higher standard price than regular TV shows.

Apple's iTunes store currently charges $1.99 for television episodes available; however the HBO shows may be put on at a higher price which may lead to other media companies pushing to change their digital download prices.

HBO plans to make some shows available on iTunes at the same time they are released on DVD, usually after the airing of an entire season.

Michael Gertenberg, an industry analyst, spoke to the New York Times about the new pricing standards.

He said: "Four or five years ago, when this was a relatively new concept, the idea of keeping prices uniform really helped jump-start the market for online content.

"It's probably not as important anymore, because it's not as new anymore."

Apple recently announced a new deal to sell major movie releases through the iTunes store.

Hollywood Reporter claimed that the move would align iTunes releases with the date the films are released on DVD in high-street shops.