Pretty much every TV network and its sister offers up a way to watch popular shows for free online. Just hop on over to a network website and you'll find a way to watch recent episodes of everything from Heroes to Girlfriends. And of course, you can download many of the same shows for a fee from services like iTunes and Amazon Unbox. But NBC is preparing to launch a new service that's a combination of the two. NBC Direct will let you download videos to your computer for free. They'll include advertising, and you'll only be able to watch for up to a week after a program's original air date. But you can download a video and watch it on the go when you don't have an active internet connection. No buffering needed.
The move is a little surprising. Or at least the timing is. NBC recently announced that it was terminating its contract to sell movies through Apple's iTunes service. But the company struck a deal to offer shows through Amazon Unbox. The new download service could eat into revenue from Unbox video sales. Perhaps the network is hoping that advertising can be more profitable than video sales.
NBC is also working with News Corp to launch a new online video service called Hulu. While it's not entirely clear whether Hulu will feature full length episodes or just video clips and exclusive content, it now seems like NBC is a bit all over the place when it comes to its streaming/downloadable media strategy. But since nobody quite knows what the future holds for the medium, maybe it's not a bad idea to have all the bases covered.
Six shows that I am watching pretty regularly this season
Five other TV shows where Sarah Palin should appear
Brought To You By ... - VIDEOS
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-19-2007 @ 11:56PM
Thushara said...
Nice web log. keep posting
Thushara
http://www.chempro.org
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:04AM
Danny Edwards said...
Yes. Initially it will only work on Windows. But a Mac version will be available later this year.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:04AM
Chris said...
I hope its better than Fox, I tried to watch Prison Break from Mon to day and it was terrible. It was like watching a DVD with a hundred scratches on it.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:05AM
Gene Cowan said...
And, of course, it will only work on PCs with certain flavors of Windows.
Nothing new to see here.
Sigh.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:05AM
conciliodecor said...
Please tack my name along with all of my colleagues names on to the end of Jeremy Horwitz, the iLounge Editor in Chief's well-worded open letter to NBC.
To summarize, "Hi NBC,… Today, you did something that comes as close to “really dumb” as you’ll need to get to lose my business entirely."
Our final words to NBC and all of it's content, both direct and affiliated, "Sayonara Peacock. And don't let the door hit you on the a** on your way out!"
Read the full letter at http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/11320/
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:05AM
Scott said...
It's sad that NBC doesn't realize that although Macs may be a small (but growing) part of the total market, they're extremely popular with exactly the audience they'd most like to reach: young people, well-educated people, people with high incomes. Their primary demographic target. (Not to mention people who work in the media, and can spread word-of-mouth.)
These people are much more likely to be Mac owners than other groups. And which platform isn't supported by Amazon Unbox or their fancy new download service? Macintosh. (Sure, Mac support "later this year"...we've heard that one before. Treat lots of people in your target audience like second-class citizens, and see how much good it does for you.)
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:06AM
MrC said...
Macs Smacks..
What about us Linux users?
abc.com used to work, but the new "HD" version does not.
Stupid stupid DRM
Stupid stupid foot-shooting networks.
As long as bittorrent is faster, cheaper, and higher quality, they'll never win.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:06AM
Tim said...
Who the heck cares? I don't want to download shows with commercials in them. I don't care if they are free. Let me buy the episodes ($1 for half hours, $2 for hours, or less). Let me keep the episodes. Do Not Put Your Craptastic DRM in My Purchases. Otherwise leave me alone, I'll find something else to watch.
Or I'll get your shows elsewhere for free, without commercials and without DRM.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 1:06AM
SJ said...
NBC recognizes how they can't really keep up with Bittorrent, so I'm glad they are taking steps to offer shows for free. I really like the fact that they show Conan episodes for the week without any ads on their website...no more staying up till 12.30 for me.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 9:55AM
prefect46 said...
I like that it's free and downloadable. I don't mind a few ads, though less than TV would be nice. The real problem here is the 1 week length. Catching up on the season so far is a great ability. ABC's website does an ok job, but I missed episodes of 'Lost' last season because they fell off the map. Providing back episodes is crucial.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 10:57AM
Michael Schmitt said...
The problem with NBC going off and doing this is the fact that they are taking the TV show and FORCING me to watch it on my computer, and not letting me have the choice of watching it on TV, the computer, the PSP, iPod, etc. Limiting the choices that I have to watch their shows only limits the exposure that the show originally has. It's a bit sad to see NBC narrow its audience in the name of controlling their shows. Open up a bit more, NBC, and you'll see that you will reach a wider audience.
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 11:48AM
Gene Cowan said...
Of course, NBC hasn't done anything to plug the REAL hole in their ultra-secure network: those pesky TELEVISION STATIONS, that broadcast this extremely valuable programming FREE OF CHARGE to anyone who wants it. I hear that one can watch these free broadcasts on inexpensive devices which allow one to switch off the program when commercials come on. Amazing!
Reply
9-20-2007 @ 12:42PM
Steve said...
Wow, a whole WEEK to watch it for free, with commercials that can't be skipped. How will NBC spoil us next?
Reply
9-21-2007 @ 6:59AM
Mel said...
Don't be so negative, people! I think it's a very good idea, and I will certainly be using it if I can figure it out. I don't mind the commercials too much, and the one week thing is a drawback, but it'll be nice to have a second chance to watch a show without cluttering up my precious DVR hours. And it's free! (Plus, I could get screen captures from shows I can't find screencaps for online.)
Reply