NBC and CBS Offering OnDemand Episodes

[JDOG_]

Uhhhg.

Can't say I'm suprised they'd pull a move like this, just suprised at how many restrictions they're placing on a product that could sell like hotcakes if it were priced right with the right DRM.

Ads in paid content? Looks like they're taking a page from the MPAA

 

[EricNau]

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?

I would gladly fire them for stupidity. And as they left, I would force the NBC executives to wear their cheap, paper 3D Medium glasses (by far the stupidest idea I've ever seen).

 

[dongmin]

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=

Chase Carey, chief executive of DirecTV, said the deal would take the DVR experience to "new levels."

Viacom Co-Chief Operating Officer Les Moonves called the CBS pact an "incredibly exciting evolution," and said video-on-demand is "the next frontier" for the industry

hahahahahahaha

 

[EricNau]

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=

This really makes it pointless. Why would anyone buy this?

 

[Doozy]

<This makes me mad>. I just don't get it. Why would I want to pay to watch something I can record on my DVR for free. I might see some benefit of them editing the comercials out, but it's not that hard to fast-forward.

Wake up networks. Either offer original content on demand, or offer an option to watch progaming on whatever media I want. </This makes me mad>

 

[ErikGrim]

I would gladly fire them for stupidity. And as they left, I would force the NBC executives to wear their cheap, paper 3D Medium glasses (by far the stupidest idea I've ever seen).

As if Medium wasn't a stupid enough concept in the first place. "Based on real life"? More like "based on real life deluded people's fantasies".

 

[Porchland]

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.

I can't speak to how the DirectTV deal would work, but I suspect Comcast will just add this to the Comcast OnDemand menu. As far as I know, this would be the first time Comcast has charged for something you can already get for free.

Sure, if you miss an episode of something it's a good way to catch up, but why does Comcast think people will pay to watch something they can set up to record every episode with the same box.

This doesn't smell right at all. I am a huge Comcast fan, but I would have to seriously consider doing without if my ability to record "Survivor" was suddenly crippled and I had to pay to watch it. Doesn't seem logical that CBS would do that, so I'm hoping it's just an extra.

It would make much more sense to create a supplemental show that gives you extra insight into, say, "Survivor" but doesn't require you to watch it for the show to make sense. A behind-the-scenes weekly show with writers, set builders, etc. I might pay for something like that by the episode of $10 for the season.

 

[EricNau]

As if Medium wasn't a stupid enough concept in the first place. "Based on real life"? More like "based on real life deluded people's fantasies".

I actually like that show. Just not the 3D part.

 

[puckhead193]

i rather have it on itunes so i can play it on my future 5G ipod..

 

[Porchland]

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.

I didn't read the announcements to mean that CBS and NBC won't offer episodes on iTunes or other places as well. The fact that the announcements came on the same day may be an indication that CBS and NBC are trying to negotiate with Apple from a position of strength and make sure they get the right deal.

The big sell of iTunes isn't availability of TV shows; it's portability.

I agree with other posters that DIFFERENT content should not get lost in the shuffle. Download this week's "Desperate Housewives" and get the extra scene they always show on Monday's GMA edited into it. Download this week's "Lost" and get a 4-minute mini-episode delivered to your account on Friday.

 

[EricNau]

I didn't read the announcements to mean that CBS and NBC won't offer episodes on iTunes or other places as well. The fact that the announcements came on the same day may be an indication that CBS and NBC are trying to negotiate with Apple from a position of strength and make sure they get the right deal.

The big sell of iTunes isn't availability of TV shows; it's portability.

I agree with other posters that DIFFERENT content should not get lost in the shuffle. Download this week's "Desperate Housewives" and get the extra scene they always show on Monday's GMA edited into it. Download this week's "Lost" and get a 4-minute mini-episode delivered to your account on Friday.

I have a feeling if they were trying to work out a deal with Apple, they wouldn't be going to Comcast/DirecTV first.
And the fact that they came out on the same day makes me belive they are trying to go against Apple.

 

[Sdashiki]

Anyone who is a "Fan" of any cable provider needs to be (as Garfield so eloquently put it) "Drug out into the street and shot"

I will never ever ever understand the mentality of paying out the ass for cable tv every month and yet I still have commercials on my shows.

I pay money I dont want commercials.

Fine I am paying for the hardwires and workers to keep it in working order. Fine. but dont tell me that I get 185+ channels for $100/month is cool, because I can only watch ONE channel at a time. Seeing as how no matter what you do you cant have more than one digital cable tv set in the house without shelling out more money.

TELEVISION IS FREE!!!!!!! Keep it that way dammit.

Oh crap I gotta pay the Cox bill today! LOL.

 

[mac_hine82]

They will come around when they find out there idea doesnt work.

 

[chromos]

I have a feeling if they were trying to work out a deal with Apple, they wouldn't be going to Comcast/DirecTV first.
And the fact that they came out on the same day makes me belive they are trying to go against Apple.

From this Wall St. Journal article, it sounds as though at least NBC is also trying to get the content to be portable as well:

NBC Universal said it is working to make other shows that it broadcasts but doesn't own available on demand. Among them is its new hit comedy, "My Name is Earl," which is owned by News Corp.'s 20th Century Fox. Bob Wright, CEO of NBC Universal, said the company also is "very close" to working out a deal with Apple to provide shows on its new video iPod.

 

[Seasought]

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!"

lol

We have a winner.

 

[Fiveos22]

I'm waiting for Fox to jump on the bandwagon, I have yet to see this season's Arrested Development and I'm starting to go through withdrawl.

 

[SiliconAddict]

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.

Yah right. Never mind the fact that such an opinion is relative to taste. Does ABC have Surface? Does ABC have CSI? Does ABC have Law and Order? Does ABC have The West Wing? Also your borderline snobbish attitude about it not being on iTunes is part of the reason why people hate Apple and the iPod. I still agree because one thing the MR summery totally misses is that you need Comcast's DVR or DirectTV's DVR to download the content and as such you are limiting your user base to only a small percentage of users. If you can’t download it to your computer then what’s the point?

 

[illw!l]

From this Wall St. Journal article, it sounds as though at least NBC is also trying to get the content to be portable as well:

Bob Wright, CEO of NBC Universal, said the company also is "very close" to working out a deal with Apple to provide shows on its new video iPod.

Beat me to the quote...

I suspect that after the success of tv show DVD's that executives are keen on providing new ways of delivering content to viewers.

These new methods of delivery may not be worth the cost, but at least they are exploring them.

I am optimistic. Just give me some 24.

 

[Hyernel]

What's wrong with people?

Why would anyone pay for a TV show that plays for free? If you miss it, wait for the rerun.

Or better yet, break your TV habit and go outside. Sheesh!

 

[applebum]

I still agree because one thing the MR summery totally misses is that you need Comcast's DVR.... If you can’t download it to your computer then what’s the point?

First, from what I understand you don't have to have Comcast's DVR - you simply have to have a digital box that has access to On Demand. I believe that almost all of Comcast's digital boxes give you access to On Demand. I also believe that the majority of Comast's digital boxes are NON DVR. So many people will be happy to pay .99 to watch a popular network they may have missed. That is the nice thing about this for people without DVRs or VCRs, they can still catch the shows they miss. I think it will do well.

Second, the majority of people do not watch TV or video on their computer. So the response that most people would have to your question would be "what's the point of downloading it to your computer?"

 

[yellow5]

Why would anyone pay for a TV show that plays for free? If you miss it, wait for the rerun.

Do you know how long it takes them to "rerun" episodes of shows? A LONG time...

Most shows come out on DVD before they are rerun.

 

[tveric]

Once in a while you see a topic, that for some strange reason, ignites a fire under Mac-super-fans like no other, blinding them to reason and logic.

I see a lot of comments about how "the networks just don't get it" and "why would you pay NBC and CBS for on-demand shows" and the like. Listen, I love my G5 and my Powerbook, AND my ipod(s), but face it, .99 is cheaper than 1.99, and you get to watch the show in full SD resolution on your TV rather than on your tiny video ipod. Which, by the way, costs as much as a TV. At this time, it's the smarter way to go if you're a network. Are people that read these forums going to go for it? No, of course not, because you are the SUPERgeeks, and we represent 1/10 of 1% of the TV-watching public. But for everyone else, on-demand is still a lot easier than downloading a show off the internet and onto your ipod.

Now before everyone flames me for that, yeah, the ipod is awesome, okay? I have 2! I love them! But think for a second about the rest of the country. People that barely even understand what the whole ipod/itunes thing is about. They can understand tivo and on-demand, though. If I'm a CBS or NBC guy, I'm applauding this move. If I'm an Apple guy, I'm trying to think up a way to sell the ABC model to these other networks. And if I'm just a Mac user, which I am, I really don't give a crap one way or the other. *shrug*

 

[andiwm2003]

Once in a while you see a topic, that for some strange reason, ignites a fire under Mac-super-fans like no other, blinding them to reason and logic.

I see a lot of comments about how "the networks just don't get it" and "why would you pay NBC and CBS for on-demand shows" and the like. Listen, I love my G5 and my Powerbook, AND my ipod(s), but face it, .99 is cheaper than 1.99, and you get to watch the show in full SD resolution on your TV rather than on your tiny video ipod. Which, by the way, costs as much as a TV. At this time, it's the smarter way to go if you're a network. Are people that read these forums going to go for it? No, of course not, because you are the SUPERgeeks, and we represent 1/10 of 1% of the TV-watching public. But for everyone else, on-demand is still a lot easier than downloading a show off the internet and onto your ipod.

Now before everyone flames me for that, yeah, the ipod is awesome, okay? I have 2! I love them! But think for a second about the rest of the country. People that barely even understand what the whole ipod/itunes thing is about. They can understand tivo and on-demand, though. If I'm a CBS or NBC guy, I'm applauding this move. If I'm an Apple guy, I'm trying to think up a way to sell the ABC model to these other networks. And if I'm just a Mac user, which I am, I really don't give a crap one way or the other. *shrug*

nobody is going to flame you. maybe

i think your points are correct regarding the geek thing.

but the new offers suck for everyone:

because you have to buy extra hardware
because you can watch them only within 24hrs after the show
because the service can be replaced by a $30 vcr from radio shack

it is not about mac, itunes or the geek factor. the offer just simply sucks.

 

[tveric]

nobody is going to flame you. maybe

i think your points are correct regarding the geek thing.

but the new offers suck for everyone:

because you have to buy extra hardware
because you can watch them only within 24hrs after the show
because the service can be replaced by a $30 vcr from radio shack

it is not about mac, itunes or the geek factor. the offer just simply sucks.

I agree with you there, too, especially on the last point. Which makes me wonder why this is a Page 1 item on macrumors.com in the first place. Slow news day?

Also, if this offer sucks, what's that say about $1.99 downloads that don't even look as good? Okay, you can keep them forever. Big deal. I'm sticking with my DVR.

 

[mikeyredk]

I wonder how much it will be to download the superbowl