Forget to Tivo the latest episode of The Office?  Lose this week’s Heroes due to a power outage?  If you find yourself in one of these predicaments this fall, don’t be looking to iTunes to save your butt.

A dispute over money has severed ties between the Peacock Network and Apple.  It’s reported that NBC Universal wanted a dramatic price increase for their shows in their latest contract (over twice the wholesale cost).  According to Apple, this would have raised the consumer price-per-show from $1.99 to $4.99.  Although the current agreement expires at the end of 2007, Apple has elected to stop offering any new NBC programs before the 2007-08 season even begins.

It’ll be interesting to see which side, if any, caves in first.  Though NBC’s programming accounts for approximately 40% of iTunes’ video downloads, many of its shows have greatly benefited by this popular viewing method.  And let’s not forget—NBC is still considered the fourth place network.