CBS and NBC Looking towards Digital Distribution

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com)

With the buzz surrounding Apple's launch of the ABC television episode sales on the iTunes Music Store (http://guides.macrumors.com/ITunes_Music_Store), the other networks are stepping up their initiatives.

Mediapost reports (http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=35887) that NBC and CBS are experimenting with online delivery of content.

CBS announced they will be distributing three episodes of prime-time sci-fi series "Threshold" online. Meanwhile, NBC is offering downloads of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams".

As expected, they report that CBS "has had talks with Apple about distributing CBS shows on iTunes." No other details are offered.

[pdpfilms]

If NBC were to hop on board with iTunes, that would really get things started.

Come on Discovery Channel....

[Trowaman]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Comedy Central - Daily Show/Colbert Report
Cartoon Network - Justice League Unlimited
FOX - Family Guy

The Holy Grails, get those ASAP

[Sunrunner]

If NBC were to hop on board with iTunes, that would really get things started.

Come on Discovery Channel....



Amen to that

[ipodnano]

SEINFELD SEINFELD SEINFELD SEINFELD SEINFELD SEINFELD!

Thats all we need.

[FoxyKaye]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Comedy Central - Daily Show/Colbert Report
Cartoon Network - Justice League Unlimited
FOX - Family Guy

The Holy Grails, get those ASAP
Well, as long as we're making wish lists:

* SciFi - Battlestar Galactica
* HBO - The Sopranos
* Cartoon Network - The Boondocks

Wow - these are like the only TV shows that I watch (thank you Netflix) or would consider watching. No wonder I don't have cable.

[x86isslow]

my CC is waitin

[Stella]

<Yawn />

Wake me up when Apple starts negotiating for other countries.

[dashiel]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Comedy Central - Daily Show/Colbert Report
Cartoon Network - Justice League Unlimited
FOX - Family Guy


i would add arrested development to that list as well. there's a problem though and (well maybe) apple's strict one price for all in regards to music has seemingly transcended to video as well. a 5 minute music video costs the same as a 44 minute drama an 8 minute pixar short or a 22 minute comedy.

if you apply that pricing structure to the average viewer it ends up being significantly more expensive than just buying cable.

take me, i don't have television service, but i do watch some shows through... more convenient methods on a regular basis.

the daily show
the simpsons
arrested development
battlestar galactica

the simpsons and arrested development are standard 22 episode shows. battlestar is... well lets say 17 episodes for season 1 + the mini series. the daily show is on 4 times a week 47 weeks a year for 188 episodes.

that's just under $500 for a years worth of programming. i can get digital cable for just about the same price.

a season's worth of simpsons episodes would cost $44; i can buy a dvd in higher quality, with extras etc... for $32.

---

there needs to be some adjustment somewhere along the line to make this viable, at least for me. i would gladly pay in advance $30-$40 for a show like the daily show, and $10-$20 for a standard network show. paying in advance gives them capital up front so it should be cheaper.

[DeepDish]

Since people are requesting shows.

Playboy Channell
Family Guy
Sienfield
Battlestar Galatica
South Park

[Ja Di ksw]

People have mentioned some good shows in this thread, but I like someone's (sorry, I forget who :() suggestion in another thread about where it really lies.

OLD shows. The companies have tons of old shows that they can't (won't) put on tv anymore, but have lots of people who would like to see them. Currently, they are just sitting around getting dusty, but if you put them on iTunes, you can just leave them there and forget about them, and let them keep bringing in money.

Seriously, how many series/shows have come out since tv started? TONS more than are currently on television. Yet they aren't being played and so aren't making any money for the network. Get them on iTunes and they'll help bring in some extra dollars.

[~Shard~]

And so it begins... this is only the start. Expect to see much more content on iTunes in 2006. :cool:

[nagromme]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Yes, please!

Throw in Firefly--good re-watch value--and about a dozen things I could name from the BBC. One Foot in the Grave? :) And the whole Buffy and Angel set... might need a 60 GB for that :) And PLEASE give us reality TV in our iPod. OK, I'm kidding about that last one. Please do NOT.

Quickly or slowly, the choices WILL multiply. Even movies and HD--eventually.

My own purchases will be rare until technology/bandwidth makes the quality better (when sent to TV) but I WOULD like the chance to catch a missed episode of Galactica or other shows that have an ongoing story. I'd pay $1.99 occasionally for that privilege. (I missed the 3rd-to-last Galactica and so I chose not to watch the next two either, and now I must wait for Netflix to get them in December--just in the nick of time before the next season starts.)

[JohnHummel]

The problem so far is what format they plan on using. I have seen no data on the NBC Nightly News, but Threshold requires Media Player 9 (blech), no that leave me out. If they're offering it for free, why not just put it MP4 format so *anybody* whether on Windows/Mac/Linux can view it - and us who want to can download it and put it on our iPods or something.

That would actually be interesting, not the "We're going to force you to sit at your computer and watch it through a crappy media player system" the other day.

[juicedus]

I want to see Scrubs. I LOVE that show.

[LaMerVipere]

i don't care about iTunes or iPods or Videos and any combination thereof anymore, that seems to be all that comes out of Cupertino these days! :(

[Scarpad]

I'd still wait for the DVD's that I wanted to own, then I could watch it on TV and rip it for the Ipod. THe cost would'nt be that much more

[puckhead193]

since were doing wish lists, i would love if NBC put law and order SVU... ahh Mariska Hargitay...she can arrest me any time.... :p :D

[mikeyredk]

Why are so many people getting excited over this? if you want to see these tv series go to netflix and rent them for 9.99 a month and get unlimited dvds. you won't own them but its like napster vs itunes.

[dashiel]

Why are so many people getting excited over this? if you want to see these tv series go to netflix and rent them for 9.99 a month and get unlimited dvds. you won't own them but its like napster vs itunes.

there are a few...

instant gratification. netflix is fast, but itunes is faster. ownership - if i want to watch an episode again i don't have to re-order from netflix. most important though, i can't get the episode of lost that aired on monday from netflix. i'll have to wait until next august or september or catch a rerun.

[miketcool]

I want to see Scrubs. I LOVE that show.

Scrubs and ER and I'm on board the video train!

[p0intblank]

The more (worthy) networks, the better! Fox needs to sign onto this... they're hugely popular when it comes to TV shows, both old and new.

[andiwm2003]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Comedy Central - Daily Show/Colbert Report
Cartoon Network - Justice League Unlimited
FOX - Family Guy

The Holy Grails, get those ASAP


seems we watch the same shows!

come on steve, convince them to sell those shows via itunes and i can finally ditch the $35 cable subscription.

[masterthespian]

Jon Stewart Jon Stewart and more Jon Stewart



the only thing to watch on TV today......

mT

[~Shard~]

i don't care about iTunes or iPods or Videos and any combination thereof anymore, that seems to be all that comes out of Cupertino these days! :(

Yeah, it's not like Apple has released an update for its OS, new PowerMacs, new PowerBooks or new iMacs any time recently... :rolleyes: :p ;)

[Dr. Dastardly]

Wow this pay per download of shows seem to be taking off ALOT faster than I thought. I think everyone knew it was a good idea but when it comes to fat cats in network board rooms they cant see a good thing when it hits right in the eye most times. Props to you fat cats for finally recognizing a good idea.

... to bad Threshold both sucks and blows. :rolleyes:

[MacVault]

I hope to see the following content for the download/video iPod...

Modern Marvels
Extreme Engineering
Engineering Disasters
Building the Ultimate
Discovery Channel
Saturday Night Live
World's Most Amazing Videos
Real TV
The Simpsons
Family Guy
King of the Hill
Various movies (Office Space, etc.)
Apple Keynotes/Events
etc.

Just hoping Apple will make it so the movies can be encoded at a higher bit rate but still playable on the iPod.

[cr2sh]

CBS announced they will be distributing three episodes of prime-time sci-fi series "Threshold" online.

Is that a show about airplanes?

[JDOG_]

I would love to see some back catalogues get put on iTunes and a bunch of shows at a reduced price because of their age. I'd also love for late shows to be on there for $.99 a pop. Conan on the iPod would be freaking rad.

With higher selection is going to have to come lower prices. The $1.99 is attractive for one or two shows, but take into account about 15-20 shows you might want a month and you're better off just sticking to cable...unless you're filthy rich.

[solvs]

i don't care about iTunes or iPods or Videos and any combination thereof anymore, that seems to be all that comes out of Cupertino these days! :(
Then why'd you click the link?

[rbo]

<Yawn />

Wake me up when Apple starts negotiating for other countries.
exaactly.

As good as those pixar films could be, it would be nice to get a share of some of those tv series...

[shamino]

Throw in Firefly--good re-watch value--and about a dozen things I could name from the BBC. ...
I fail to understand why.

I paid less than $25 for my box set of Firefly DVDs. That includes commentaries, 5.1 surround sound, and bonus material. At $2 an episode, iTMS would've charged $28.

Another favorite show: M*A*S*H. The DVDs have an MSRP of $40 per season, and can be purchased on-line for $30. At 24 episodes per season, iTMS would charge $48.

While iTMS video sounds like a good idea, it's overpriced. Why would anyone pay extra in order to get the content at a lower resolution, no surround sound, and no bonus materials?
My own purchases will be rare until technology/bandwidth makes the quality better (when sent to TV) but I WOULD like the chance to catch a missed episode of Galactica or other shows that have an ongoing story. I'd pay $1.99 occasionally for that privilege. (I missed the 3rd-to-last Galactica and so I chose not to watch the next two either, and now I must wait for Netflix to get them in December--just in the nick of time before the next season starts.)
That's what VCRs and PVRs are for. I'm never home when my favorite shows are on. But the VCR timer-records them, so I don't care.

While I will be buying the BG DVDs, it will be because I want a permanent copy, anamorphic widescreen, 5.1 audio, and bonus materials. Not because I missed an episode of the broadcast.

BTW, pay attention to SciFi's schedule. They ran a full-season rerun marathon just before season 2 began. They're likely to do that before the new season begins in January.

[shamino]

Sci-fi - Battlestar Galactica
Comedy Central - Daily Show/Colbert Report
Cartoon Network - Justice League Unlimited
FOX - Family Guy
seems we watch the same shows!

come on steve, convince them to sell those shows via itunes and i can finally ditch the $35 cable subscription.
So you'd rather download 34 episodes (22 daily shows, plus 12 weekly shows) for $68 instead of paying $35 to get them via cable?

[balamw]

So you'd rather download 34 episodes (22 daily shows, plus 12 weekly shows) for $68 instead of paying $35 to get them via cable?
Not quite that simple. He wouldn't have to pay anything for repeats.

Let's assume that there are 24 episodes eack year of the weekly shows and that the two "daily" shows are also on for 24 weeks, 4 episodes/week (no Friday).

That would add up to $144/year for the weekly shows and $384 for the daily shows. This works out to $44/month vs. $35. For just the weekly shows it's a bargain $12/month averaged over the year, so he could watch 3x as many weekly shows and still come out even.

B

[nagromme]

I fail to understand why. ...
That's what VCRs and PVRs are for. I'm never home when my favorite shows are on. But the VCR timer-records them, so I don't care.
Well, I know what you're saying, but one reason is "just for fun." Having some favorite comedy episodes (more so than serious dramas, but maybe some eps of those too) on my iPod, for when really bored or to show other people my favorite show, would be FUN. Having them WITH me, all the time (like my music) would not be life-changingly useful, but it would be fun.

The more important reason, for me, as that despite my VCR, I DO miss episodes. Maybe I didn't expect to be gone and didn't set the timer. Maybe I made a mistake with the tape. Maybe a ball game or political speech cut in. Maybe the schedule changed. Maybe the station went out.

One way or another, I always seem to miss at least one episode per season of the shows I try to follow. I'd like a way to catch up quickly. $1.99 wouldn't bother me to keep in the loop.

Having shows to KEEP, in their entirety demands more quality, you are right. I can see myself buying Galactica, Firefly, and Buffy/Angel on DVD (well, BD!), not downloading them. I agree on that.

But I WOULD also make OCCASIONAL purchases for the reasons above, regardless of quality.

If you're thinking that means I would buy only a very little, you're right :) But I'll still be glad to have the choice, if more shows appear on iTunes.

I don't know if that makes video a big business success (yet), but it does make it an option I'm happy to see growing.

PS, MR folks have good taste in TV :)

[shoffmueller]

Who would drop $1.99 for an episode of NBC News with Brian Williams?

[balamw]

Who would drop $1.99 for an episode of NBC News with Brian Williams?
It's free. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9880369/
NBC News announced Monday that "NBC Nightly News" will soon become the first and only network newscast to be offered free on the Internet in its entirety.
Also it's on MSNBC, so don't expect it to be Mac/iPod friendly.

B

[Sirus The Virus]

I hope that they set up nightly news video podcasts. Or even late night TV shows like Connan, Letterman, and Leno as free podcasts, that would be so awesome.

[quigleybc]

I just don't get the appeal...

What is the interest of buying tv shows that are currently being broadcast on tv?

Unless you don't have cable, but most of the networks are available through basic cable, or just some rabbit ears and a television. And I would think that if you have high speed internet and a video iPod that you probably have cable too, but not necessarily.

I could see the appeal in old shows that aren't on as much, or at all...

I just don't get it..

[Sirus The Virus]

If NBC were to hop on board with iTunes, that would really get things started.

Come on Discovery Channel....
That would be the best thing to ever happen to iTunes.

[obeygiant]

i wont pay 2 bucks for the news with brian williams

[powerbook911]

I really see the selling of TV shows, for now, being a thing, if you miss a show. Unless, they were really good quality, like better than TV quality, in widescreen.

For now, I'll just use it, if I miss an episode, or my TiVo screws up and doesn't record (i.e. power failure or lots of conflicts).

[aafuss1]

Viacom could signup-to offer Nickelodeon, Nick Jr or Nicktoons Network shows.

These are mostly children's TV shows and animated series (Invader ZIM, Avatar would be great additions to the iTMS). There are already 2 Disney kids shows on the iTMS.

They do have TurboNick (no iPod or downloadable versions):
http://www.nick.com/all_nick/turbonick/index.jhtml

I love Discovery Channel-Microsoft has their video content in their Encarta product. So shows like American Choppers, MythBusters are very suitable Discovery shows to add to the iTunes Music Store.

I'm Australian, and SBS/Beyond would license MythBusters to Apple Australia.
SBS, Seven and Ten shows (not Big Brother, but shows like Australian and American Idol). Channel 9-no way (their videos are WMV) could also be offered.

Our ABC-the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, already has podcasts on the iTMS, and their shows would be quite nice on the iTMS.

The BBC shoul offer their shows on it as well.
Cartoon Network should sign up as well-lots of anime shows

What about Fox shows?

[Chundles]

Still can't think of any good aussie TV they could license over here. Most of the good stuff (and that's not saying much) is from the US and broadcast rights are given to our networks. There are very few shows here that our networks actually have distribution rights to and therefore can't offer them to download.

I'd like to see:

Family Guy
The Simpsons
House
The Surgeon (Aussie show - not bad at all)
CSI

[Trowaman]

Who would drop $1.99 for an episode of NBC News with Brian Williams?

Nightly News? No one.

It is nice on iTunes however MSNBC's primetime folks have one segment of each of their shows up each night as podcasts.

I would like to see those go video though. Keith Olbermann video cast, sweetness. He's like a more serious Daily Show.

[lolex]

I think it would be a mutual victory for both Itune n those Broadcasting Firms.

Since,

-Buys online copy could save you couple of hours from piracy downloading and converting files by themself.

-you may avoid any sinful feeling committing BT activity for cost just couple of dollars....People shops Dvd may switch to download it online too.

The ads on ITune is really lucrative then , if this would come true.:)

[PharmD]

I just want Fox sign on so I can watch 24 season 4. Then I'll be all caught up.

[~Shard~]

I just want Fox sign on so I can watch 24 season 4. Then I'll be all caught up.

I agree, I think there would be a lot of demand for Fox programming, and this would be a very wise move for them. I'm a bit surprised they haven't already gotten involved, but who knows, perhaps they are indeed in talks with Apple and are just working out the details.

[rrr]

a season's worth of simpsons episodes would cost $44; i can buy a dvd in higher quality, with extras etc... for $32.


True. But you'd have to wait until it's released for that particular season. The idea here would be that episodes would become available very shortly after their respective airdates. To some, I think that would be worth a slight price premium. Also, for those who don't want entire seasons, it would not even be a price premium.

rrr

[musiclover137]

True. But you'd have to wait until it's released for that particular season. The idea here would be that episodes would become available very shortly after their respective airdates. To some, I think that would be worth a slight price premium. Also, for those who don't want entire seasons, it would not even be a price premium.

rrr
not to mention what everyone is forgetting;
the ease of having all these shows on your ipod without having to convert from dvd. the ease of portability is worth the price to most people alone.

[shidoshi]

-Buys online copy could save you couple of hours from piracy downloading and converting files by themself.

-you may avoid any sinful feeling committing BT activity for cost just couple of dollars....People shops Dvd may switch to download it online too.

Here's the problem with that - the versions Apple is selling are nowhere near the quality that you can get from BitTorrent. With music, the quality is close enough to make the piracy route not nearly as attractive. That scenario is not in place with video downloads, though. Pay $2 for last night's Lost in 320x240, or for free get it at 624x352.

While the music quality you get from iTunes isn't as good as it could be, it is good enough that even people who aren't planning on putting it on an iPod, but just want the music in general, are a market. With videos via iTunes, however, a LOT of the people outside of the "wanting it for an iPod" crowd aren't going to find the quality to be good enough. Quality matters much more in video than in audio, because the difference is far more noticable.

I certainly think that videos via the iTMS are going to stop the iPod crowd from just downloading the shows they want, because it is so very much easier. However, it is a shame that Apple's reliance on skewing things for the iPod has crippled their video service so much.

I'm also really worried that Apple is going to screw up the online distribution market for video by making companies think that we're all perfectly fine and happy with 320x240 sized video. If that becomes the standard, then online video distribution will be worthless.

[steve_hill4]

While iTMS video sounds like a good idea, it's overpriced. Why would anyone pay extra in order to get the content at a lower resolution, no surround sound, and no bonus materials?
That's what VCRs and PVRs are for. I'm never home when my favorite shows are on. But the VCR timer-records them, so I don't care.

While I will be buying the BG DVDs, it will be because I want a permanent copy, anamorphic widescreen, 5.1 audio, and bonus materials. Not because I missed an episode of the broadcast.
That's what it is really aimed at, those who did not set their VCRs to record the latest episode, forgot about it, got called away etc and want to catch up with that one single show. If apple made it a bit easier for us to get our own DVDs and recorded shows onto our 5G iPods, more would be interested. I still think though Steve Jobs was right in the way he promoted it, as a digital music device that can play video. It's not the major feature as of yet, and won't be for the forseeable future. When the 6G iPod is announced, it might have widescreen, higher resolution and surround output capabilities, (through a new dock), but until then, we are stuck with 320x240.

[Squonk]

i wont pay 2 bucks for the news with brian williams

The news shows should be free! Who really wants to watch the news from more than a couple of days ago. And who wants to watch the same newscast over and over again? Certainly not the network news. The Daily Show, a different story - it's infotainment!

[Doozy]

I think it is important for Apple to get the major broadcast giants and should do what it takes to get that done. As far as the cable channels they should be lining up to get their original shows on iTunes.

[Doozy]

The news shows should be free! Who really wants to watch the news from more than a couple of days ago. And who wants to watch the same newscast over and over again? Certainly not the network news. The Daily Show, a different story - it's infotainment!

I totally agree with this. If NBC wants to test the market why do it with old news programs. Now, if the news was available the same day I would consider purchasing.

If I were NBC I would release "Scubs" and "My Name Is Earl"

[Scarpad]

Well I can't really Blame Jobs, he's in the same boat as all other manufacturers that produce PMP's if you look at Archos it's the same way. No one will tell you how or include a way to rip commercial DVD's as the legality of said action is Dubious. Yes there are ways that circumvent copy protection but your on your own to find them.