NBC to Offer Free Video Download Service

[Steelviper]

http://slashdot.org/articles/07/09/20/0446256.shtml

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

Ok, so a service that is only Windows-specific and embeds commercials between the act breaks? I can see why iTunes balked at the idea.

Unless the braintrust at NBC gets its head out of its ass, I don't truly see this working... and I really can't understand why they ditched iTunes. After all, NBC dumped all of its shows on Amazon's Unbox for the same price.

What NBC essentially did was severely limit its audience. With the marketshare of the Video iPod alone, they really shot themselves in the foot by pulling their content off iTunes. Also, iTunes has the advantage of working on two operating systems, Mac OS and Winblows. This new thing won't, as far as I can tell.

Frankly, I can't see what the purpose of pulling their shows off iTunes was. If they wanted to set up an iTunes alternative, fine... but will they be able to do it? Probably not.

I wouldn't mind a streaming service where I can watch shows via the internet where people pay a flat rate a month (a la Netflix with it's DVD rentals), but I think NBC can do that without pulling its shows off iTunes.

Oh well, I guess piracy still wins.

[Spencerian]

NBC will spend lots of cash fighting torrents and other P2P file sources.

Bet that the Windows file types may require Vista in some instances to work. That should be fun.

You would think that they would wise up after that while Star Trek screw up, but nooooo....

[Joe Beaudoin Jr.]

The problem with NBC (and it's a problem with most Hollywood production studios, I guess) is that they still treat p2p and streaming tech like a leper. They're not embracing it, or if they are, they're doing so at arms length.

And they wonder why they lose profits.

It would be hilarious if it wasn't so sad.

[Mercifull]

DRM infested crapware or free torrents at HD quality that work on all operating systems and that people outside the US can view... mmmm tough call.