NBC Direct to Offer TV Shows

MacRumors · Sep 19, 2007, 03:04 PM

NBC announced today that they will be launching a new service called "NBC Direct" which will allow users to download and view NBC's popular primetime shows to their desktops for free and watch them for up to one week after broadcast.

The first version of this software will launch in October for Windows PCs only, but "future versions" are said to add Mac compatibility.

At launch the shows will include "Heroes," "The Office," "Life," "Bionic Woman," "30 Rock," "Friday Night Lights," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

In 2008, NBC plans to offer expanded sales options which could include download-to-own, rental and subscription models.

NBC recently withdrew from future iTunes distribution of their television shows due to a contract dispute with Apple.

Article Link

levitynyc · Sep 19, 2007, 03:06 PM

WTF? Why aren't macs supported?!!!!

plumbingandtech · Sep 19, 2007, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levitynyc

WTF? Why aren't macs supported?!!!!

Prob. because they are using POS Windows Media.

Expect a solution once Microsoft Silverlight ships well enough to handle the video.

This is what netflix has said I think the case will be the same here.

Stupid NBC.

JPark · Sep 19, 2007, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumbingandtech

Prob. because they are using POS Windows Media.

In the original article, it sounds more like they are using their own downloadable media player. They also state that future versions will allow purchasing/renting (the current model is ad supported) and will be mac compatible.

balamw · Sep 19, 2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPark

In the original article, it sounds more like they are using their own downloadable media player. They also state that future versions will allow purchasing/renting (the current model is ad supported) and will be mac compatible.

The description of their software also includes this gem:

Quote:

The downloadable player will also have filtering technology, which will prevent it from playing any stolen copyrighted material.

B

Teddy's · Sep 19, 2007, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by balamw

The description of their software also includes this gem:

A Sony-like SPYWARE!

Yeah! that's why is PC ONLY

Hairball · Sep 19, 2007, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levitynyc

WTF? Why aren't macs supported?!!!!

My thoughts exactly.

NBC really stuck it to Apple, didn't they. In the meantime, they are betting on the fact that ad revenue will be more than $ they receive from Apple/iTunes. I like a few of the shows mentioned in the press release, but personally I want to see NBC fail in this venture.

cliffjumper68 · Sep 20, 2007, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by levitynyc

WTF? Why aren't macs supported?!!!!

They do not care about Mac's. This is a bad move for NBC and Fox, they will devalue their content by making it free and difficult to manage/ transfer. The ipod/ apple tv vehicle makes down-loadable content commercially viable. I expect that ripped copies will increase as a substitute and profitability in this sector will degrade. Why can't these media companies see what happened with digital music? Provide a smooth user friendly experience and you can make money. Punish the market and resist your consumers and create a black market. Basic's just basic's.

killmoms · Sep 19, 2007, 03:06 PM

Let's all take bets, see how long it takes NBC to realize they were making more money selling through iTunes (the most popular music and video download store ever) than from advertisers on this service that no one will use.

NightStorm · Sep 19, 2007, 03:08 PM

This is the dumbest idea ever and a step backwards for Internet distribution.

Sandfleaz · Sep 19, 2007, 03:10 PM

Hmmm ...let me get this straight, they're going to offer them for free this year, then change the model in 08 and start charging?

Brilliant marketing plan! (sarcasm intended)

mmzplanet · Sep 19, 2007, 03:20 PM

Handbrake and NBC...... Have you met?

I'll just keep making my own from DVDs. Not only do I have a nice DVD to watch it from.... I get a copy for iTunes to use on my AppleTV or iPod too.

The best part... still no advertising to deal with!!!

does not need you.

For that matter I still have my DVR too.

SiliconAddict · Sep 19, 2007, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightStorm

This is the dumbest idea ever and a step backwards for Internet distribution.

Nope because OS X still consists of around 5% market share. Guess who has the rest. And with Macintels if you don't like it virtualize.

sterno74 · Sep 19, 2007, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

Nope because OS X still consists of around 5% market share. Guess who has the rest. And with Macintels if you don't like it virtualize.

This is a deceptive statistic. That 5% of market share is of all desktop PC's. That includes everybody's computers at work, school, etc. How many of all desktop PC's are used for watching video on? I guarantee you that OS X's market share is a hell of a lot bigger in that realm.

robbyx · Sep 19, 2007, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SiliconAddict

Nope because OS X still consists of around 5% market share. Guess who has the rest. And with Macintels if you don't like it virtualize.

Um, can you say iPod? Cutting out the iPod is simply idiotic.

robbyx · Sep 19, 2007, 07:04 PM

I'm ditching satellite TV in favor of iTunes. I've had enough of paying $100+ a month for crap. I don't watch much TV. I don't channel surf. I watch a few shows. Why should I pay upward of $1200 a year for the handful of shows I watch? It's absurd!

So, I'm ordering my shows on iTunes this season and watching them via AppleTV. I was going to order at least one NBC show, Heroes. Now I'll simply have to view it by some other means. NBC's decision not to support iTunes won't stop me from watching. It will, however, cost them my $40 season pass.

SoldOutMatinee · Sep 19, 2007, 03:08 PM

30 Rock love.

plumbingandtech · Sep 19, 2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoldOutMatinee

30 Rock love.

I was buying each ep. for my iphone until NBC announce their withdrawal.

Now I am just going to TiVo it.

johnmcboston · Sep 19, 2007, 03:09 PM

I don't get the "one week after broadcast". Why not expire them one week after download? This effectively means you can never 'catch up' on a season, only watch something within 6 days of missing it. Pretty much useless.

jeremy.king · Sep 19, 2007, 03:14 PM

Its a stop gap until they get some other plan for episode sales.

NBC is simply timeshifting for us? Whoopdy Frickin Do! This is what my Tivo does for me.

I guess if I watched NBC, its good to know these are free, albeit ad-supported...

nagromme · Sep 19, 2007, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmcboston

I don't get the "one week after broadcast". Why not expire them one week after download? This effectively means you can never 'catch up' on a season, only watch something within 6 days of missing it. Pretty much useless.

If true, that's pure insanity and HURTS shows on the air. Miss an episode? Would NBC rather you stop watching, or catch up? Miss half a season? Would NBC rather you skip it, or listen to friends' recommendations and catch up?

Anyway--no Mac support and no Battlestar Galactica, so it's useless to me on every level.

ebouwman · Sep 19, 2007, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnmcboston

I don't get the "one week after broadcast". Why not expire them one week after download? This effectively means you can never 'catch up' on a season, only watch something within 6 days of missing it. Pretty much useless.

The point would be so that you can't watch the entire season without buying it, at least thats my guess, it's not neccesarily a stupid idea in my opinion(although i would rather it was a week from download just like you)

Neuroguy · Sep 19, 2007, 03:10 PM

So...

They would rather make nothing on their shows? Oh wait, advertising revenue. You can guarantee that this new "free" service will have commercials and no way to skip them. Thanks. Just what I wanted... the need to fire up my piece of crap PC and then watch commercials.

NBC is DUM!

Neuroguy

xnu · Sep 19, 2007, 03:11 PM

Amazon must be happy.

Peace · Sep 19, 2007, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xnu

Amazon must be happy.

LOL.. Quote of the day!!.

Me thinks NBC already saw the lack of revenue flow from Amazon and decided to go to plan B.

Sep 19, 2007, 03:04 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	NBC Direct to Offer TV Shows NBC announced today that they will be launching a new service called "NBC Direct" which will allow users to download and view NBC's popular primetime shows to their desktops for free and watch them for up to one week after broadcast. The first version of this software will launch in October for Windows PCs only, but "future versions" are said to add Mac compatibility. At launch the shows will include "Heroes," "The Office," "Life," "Bionic Woman," "30 Rock," "Friday Night Lights," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." In 2008, NBC plans to offer expanded sales options which could include download-to-own, rental and subscription models. NBC recently withdrew from future iTunes distribution of their television shows due to a contract dispute with Apple. Article Link

Sep 19, 2007, 03:06 PM	#9
killmoms macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Washington, DC	Let's all take bets, see how long it takes NBC to realize they were making more money selling through iTunes (the most popular music and video download store ever) than from advertisers on this service that no one will use. __________________ killmoms.com - Well, don't really. Goodbye Velocity and Yaseko, say hello to... Henrietta: 15" MacBook Pro, 2.33GHz C2D, 2GB RAM Kyoko: 8GB iPhone

Sep 19, 2007, 03:10 PM	#11
Sandfleaz macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2007	Hmmm ...let me get this straight, they're going to offer them for free this year, then change the model in 08 and start charging? Brilliant marketing plan! (sarcasm intended) __________________ Funniest T-Shirts & Stuff on the net http://www.cafepress.com/shirtspot

Sep 19, 2007, 03:08 PM	#17
SoldOutMatinee macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Las Vegas	30 Rock love. __________________

Sep 19, 2007, 03:14 PM	#20
jeremy.king macrumors 601 Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Fox Lake, IL	Its a stop gap until they get some other plan for episode sales. NBC is simply timeshifting for us? Whoopdy Frickin Do! This is what my Tivo does for me. I guess if I watched NBC, its good to know these are free, albeit ad-supported... __________________ http://www.jeremyronking.com http://www.willinois.com

Sep 19, 2007, 03:06 PM	#2
levitynyc macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2006	WTF? Why aren't macs supported?!!!!

Sep 19, 2007, 03:08 PM	#10
NightStorm macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Maumee, OH	This is the dumbest idea ever and a step backwards for Internet distribution.

Sep 19, 2007, 03:20 PM	#12
mmzplanet macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Florida	Handbrake and NBC...... Have you met? I'll just keep making my own from DVDs. Not only do I have a nice DVD to watch it from.... I get a copy for iTunes to use on my AppleTV or iPod too. The best part... still no advertising to deal with!!! does not need you. For that matter I still have my DVR too.

Sep 19, 2007, 07:04 PM	#16
robbyx macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2005	I'm ditching satellite TV in favor of iTunes. I've had enough of paying $100+ a month for crap. I don't watch much TV. I don't channel surf. I watch a few shows. Why should I pay upward of $1200 a year for the handful of shows I watch? It's absurd! So, I'm ordering my shows on iTunes this season and watching them via AppleTV. I was going to order at least one NBC show, Heroes. Now I'll simply have to view it by some other means. NBC's decision not to support iTunes won't stop me from watching. It will, however, cost them my $40 season pass.

Sep 19, 2007, 03:09 PM	#19
johnmcboston macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Boston	I don't get the "one week after broadcast". Why not expire them one week after download? This effectively means you can never 'catch up' on a season, only watch something within 6 days of missing it. Pretty much useless.

Sep 19, 2007, 03:10 PM	#23
Neuroguy macrumors member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iowa City, IA	Foolish So... They would rather make nothing on their shows? Oh wait, advertising revenue. You can guarantee that this new "free" service will have commercials and no way to skip them. Thanks. Just what I wanted... the need to fire up my piece of crap PC and then watch commercials. NBC is DUM! Neuroguy

Sep 19, 2007, 03:11 PM	#24
xnu macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2004	Amazon must be happy.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode