NBC and CBS Offering OnDemand Episodes

[MacRumors]

NBC and CBS announced that they would be offering replays of prime-time television shows for $.99 per episode on an On-Demand basis through Comcast (CBS) and DirecTV (NBC).

Some details are avaiable. CBS's shows will retain their commercials. NBC's shows will be available for one week after their broadcast (no commercials).

Apple's recent release of iTunes with Video appears to have sparked more interest in on-demand video content. Apple current offers a number of ABC prime-time shows for $1.99/each.

Many are waiting to see if Apple can negotiate deals with other networks. NBC has made comments, however, that while they are looking into digital distribution many venues do not have enough protections in place.

 

[Over Achiever]

Apple's recent release of iTunes with Video appears to have sparked more interest in on-demand video content. Apple current offers a number of CBS prime-time shows for $1.99/each.

I thought they only offered ABC (and Disney) shows at the moment?

 

[deputy_doofy]

I thought they were ABC?

You beat me to it. Was going to say the same thing.

 

[AoWolf]

I thought they were ABC?

Yeah I thought that too. I hope this stuff makes it onto the video iPods it will be interesting to see if a market comes out of this.

 

[DavidLeblond]

So in order to pay $1 to watch an episode of a show that you missed, you need what exactly? They mention the DVR in the article, making it seem like you'd need the DVR to access the service (paying extra for the DVR of course)... so... why not record the show in the first place?

Of course they probably have some plan to monkey around with the timeslots to try to trip up the DVRs and force people into paying $1 per episode.

Yeeah... something tells me Santa won't be bringing THEM any gifts this year.

 

[agentkow]

Apple current offers a number of CBS prime-time shows for $1.99/each.

That would be ABC, I'm pretty sure, but we don't actually get those shows in Canada. Well we get those shows on our TV's, just they won't let us have them on our computers.

 

[EricNau]

I think NBC & CBS are going to be dissapointed with their sales, not only because it's not through iTunes, but because their shows aren't as good as ABC's either.

 

[mwwlse]

Blah, the shows reside on your cable box, in NBC's case for only 24 hours. This is rubbish; they are completely missing the point. Comcast "on demand" already offers a ton of programming for free, and now NBC and CBS want to charge. This does nothing to allow the user to take the shows with them, keep it permanently, or otherwise add real value. These networks don't get it.

 

[yellow5]

Why do these networks continue to miss the point of downloadable content?

 

[EricNau]

Why do these networks continue to miss the point of downloadable content?

Why do you think ABC is in first place, and NBC is last?

 

[andiwm2003]

i don't really get it.

does that mean i can download the stuff to my computer and own it like in itunes?

or do i need some extra stuff like this dvr or a special comcast subscription? in that case its easier to buy a $20 vcr and tape it the old fashioned way.

anything that is less than buying the shows via internet and have them as mpeg (even with drm) is of no interest to me.

edit: seems other people also don't see the point in this "offer".

 

[yellow5]

I think FOX actually has some of my favorite shows on it. (Arrested Development, Family Guy, American Dad, etc)

But Apple needs to get negotiating because their current offering of TV shows is embarrassing.

But I agree it is HARD when the other side won't budge at all.

 

[hyperpasta]

Stupid

This misses the point of downloading. It's Pay-Per-View On Demand. Hopefully iTunes can still nab FOX, and this deal isn't exclusive.

 

[WeBleed4Real]

Apple current offers a number of CBS prime-time shows for $1.99/each.

Uh oh. Unreliable source!! People are going to be searching iTunes for all those episodes of Jennifer Love Hewitt running around on The Ghost Whisperer...Ooooo....

 

[jdechko]

I agree with a lot of what has already been said... It makes no sense for the networks to operate like this. If a DVR is required, why not record it in the first place. I think that they might be upset that iTVS went live with only ABC/Disney stuff and they are trying to spite Apple by going it alone. I hope that Apple just hands them a figurative tissue and says "now that youre done pitching your little fit, come on and play with us."

I too want FOX programming, as well as some NBC shows... I love scrubs and would quite possibly go for that, and I think that Joey and My Name is Earl are quite interesting as well.

 

[DavidLeblond]

I agree with a lot of what has already been said... It makes no sense for the networks to operate like this. If a DVR is required, why not record it in the first place. I think that they might be upset that iTVS went live with only ABC/Disney stuff and they are trying to spite Apple by going it alone. I hope that Apple just hands them a figurative tissue and says "now that youre done pitching your little fit, come on and play with us."

I too want FOX programming, as well as some NBC shows... I love scrubs and would quite possibly go for that, and I think that Joey and My Name is Earl are quite interesting as well.

DVR: "I see you've recorded CSI! $.99 will be added to your already huge Comcast bill. Thank you for bending over and taking it!"

I forsee it happening.

 

[lopresmb]

you'll probably need a digital cable box that has the indemand / PPV ordering system built into it. I would assume that having DVR wouldn't be a requirement at (because why in the world wouldn't you just record it in the first place). yeah, I doubt this will be a very successful endeavor. Maybe it'll make them realize that they should just sign on with iTunes.

The other big downfall -- no iPod (unless you have a cable card in a computer) - and again, you wouldn't have to pay for this in the first place....

 

[bommai]

Yeah - NBC has lost its way

Why do you think ABC is in first place, and NBC is last?

Well I work for GE (which owns NBC). So, I bet they are trying to shove in their six sigma methodologies into creative depts like NBC and that is why their show are sucky nowadays. I don't care for their shows.

 

[shamino]

This is useless. So you need to have a DVR, and they're going to charge you for it? And (in the case of CBS), they're going to leave the commercials in it as well?

If you have a DVR, just program it to record the original broadcast.

The whole concept of paying in order to watch advertisements is morally repugnant.

If they want to do something useful, make the programs available to people without DVRs (internet download). Either for free with commercials or for $1 without commercials.

 

[bommai]

Fox owns DirecTV

This misses the point of downloading. It's Pay-Per-View On Demand. Hopefully iTunes can still nab FOX, and this deal isn't exclusive.

Well, I don't know about Fox. They own DirecTV (well they are both owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp). DirecTV has ambitious plans with new satellites getting launched, home media options, etc.

 

[madmaxmedia]

This is basically their attempt to try to marginalize iTunes. But for various reasons that have been posted, it's a pretty weak effort.

If it does indeed require a DVR, how many people won't have already recorded the shows in the first place? And then all the silly time limits...

 

[al256]

I just want Viacom to make Comedy Central shows available, South Park anyone?

 

[EricNau]

Blah, the shows reside on your cable box, in NBC's case for only 24 hours. This is rubbish; they are completely missing the point. Comcast "on demand" already offers a ton of programming for free, and now NBC and CBS want to charge. This does nothing to allow the user to take the shows with them, keep it permanently, or otherwise add real value. These networks don't get it.

Where did it say that it only stays on your dvr for 24 hours?
If that's true it is the second stupidest thing from NBC ever! (Second to Medium in 3-D)
This is why NBC is in last place, because the people running it have the IQ of a pebble.

 

[mwwlse]

Where did it say that it only stays on your dvr for 24 hours?

Sorry, I read another source that mentioned it, and I meant CBS instead of NBC... here it is:
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story.asp?guid=%7B8EB887D9%2D376B%2D457A%2D8C04%2D4E02975535CF%7D&siteid=mktw&dist=

 

[andiwm2003]

so most of us agree that the offers as they are just suck.

so why do those tv-executives still have their jobs? is that everything they can come up with after weeks of thinking?

can somebody please fire them for stupidity?