Via THR: HBO plans to add a wide range of its hit series to Apple’s iTunes day-and-date with their release in the DVD window.

Top programs including “The Sopranos” and “Sex and the City” are expected to be available on iTunes in a matter of days. The deal, first reported on Portfolio.com, will not make current HBO series one day after their original airdate, as many TV networks have arranged.

Still unclear is whether HBO will make its programs available at the $1.99 per episode price point that is standard on iTunes. Portfolio.com reported that HBO commanded a mark-up that would be unprecedented on iTunes — and would likely send many of Apple’s content partners back to the negotiation table once their current contracts are up.

HBO has abstained from adding any of its programming to iTunes for fear of cannibalizing its primary revenue sources: premium subscriptions and its healthy DVD business. The network does have some original material online, but in the form of free podcasts.

However, the growth of iTunes as a download platform likely got too robust to ignore. In addition, many of HBO’s best-selling DVDs have likely been on the market long enough to have exhausted consumer appetites, but could find a whole new life online with a segment of users who don’t want to buy discs.

In addition, Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes signaled last week that the conglomerate’s studio films would be made available on a day-and-date basis with VOD. Although his comments did not apply directly to HBO, Bewkes — HBO’s former CEO — may be lowering the barriers of protection on its DVD biz companywide.

HBO puts seasons of its hit series out on DVD at varying times, either waiting until the following season arrives on air but sometimes as soon as six months after a season ends. Many of those episodes also continue to run on HBO’s linear channels and VOD platform.

THR