NBC is jumping back into the online media store game again, but it instead of returning to the iTunes Store, the network has teamed up with Microsoft’s Zune online store. As part of the deal, customers will be presented with bundled TV show purchases and a variable pricing structure.

JB Perrette, president of NBC Universal Digital Distribution, commented "Partnering with Zune will allow us to develop innovative content offerings for their customers, including flexible pricing and packaging options beginning this fall."

NBC and Apple parted ways after the Mac and iPod maker refused to relinquish control over TV show pricing and force customers to purchase certain shows in bundles. Apple claimed that NBC wanted to charge customers too much while NBC said that Apple was unfairly controlling the pricing structure.

Zune online store customers will have access to a wide range of NBC owned programs including South Park, The Office, Heroes, Battlestar Galactica, Robot Chicken, and more. The Zune online store sells its content for Microsoft Points that customers purchase in blocks, and each show will be priced at 160 points (about US$1.99).

NBC’s alliance with Microsoft’s Zune brand looks to be another part of its "anything but Apple" stance since leaving the iTunes Store. While NBC has occasionally said that it likes working with Apple, so far there has been no public indication that the network intends to return to the market leading iTunes Store.