Why are my iTunes purchased content downloads so slow despite high-speed internet?

Some things to try:

• Check at Apple - Support - System Status to see if there are any issues with Apple services. Right now I see a bunch of Resolved Issue/Performance notices suggesting something was wrong quite recently
• Click the download activity widget and turn off the option to allow for simultaneous downloads
• With iTunes closed delete the Downloads folder inside your iTunes Media folder
• Temporarily disable any VPN
• Temporarily disable any third party AV software and/or exclude the iTunes and/or iTunes Media folder from real time scanning
• Check your system clock is set correctly
• Reboot computer and router
• Change DNS settings at the router to use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 (Google public DNS) instead of your service provider's suggested settings. (Make a note of those first so you can reset later if you wish)

Hopefully things are better by the time you read this, if not see if any of my suggestions help.

tt2