Online Streaming Of TV Shows: Get Used To It
- September 24th, 2007
- 3 Comments
The TV networks have found their newest cash cow: online streaming of their TV shows. Hope you didn’t get too comfortable downloading shows from iTunes and the like because, as FT finds out, the networks will be throwing all their weight behind streaming, where they can embed ads, to the detriment of downloads. The networks’ biggest concern vis-a-vis streaming was that it’d cannibalize traditional TV ratings. But, if they had spent even a modicum of time online researching just who would watch streaming shows, they would’ve found out that plenty of these folks have no interest in watching TV on TV; they essentially live online.
Suits from ABC and CBS admitted that streaming is the way of the way of the future. (See NBC.) Naturally, this hurts Apple, whose iTunes store nowadays seemingly sells everything but used cars.
It wouldn’t surprise me to see the networks decide against renewing their contracts with Apple, instead sending us to their Flash-laden Web sites with dozens of ads for beer.
Might I ad that nigh everything on TV is 100 percent skippable?
US networks to stream online free [FT.com via Drudge]
outlaw (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I think the streaming video is okay. I don’t like the purchase model on iTunes and have personally never bought a TV Show. Why would I buy a show for $1.99 when I can record it on my DVR.
What I would like to see, and I think the networks should do, is allow us to download the video for FREE!!! Putting ads on the site for us to see would be okay. Even put comercials in the video itself would be fine with me (I can skip the crappy ones and watch the good ones). We should have the option to watch the stinking shows on our iPods or other media player when and where we want. Most everyone can get over the air (read free) programming of the major networks, hook up a DVR or Media Center PC and record their own. So why not make it readily available to us and make some money off of advertising?
WebTV Reviews (Who am I?)
1 year ago
Hi, well I think there’s definitely a market and there’s people all over looking for shows or just videos to watch. I review such services on my blog, check out this one for example: http://www.freetube.us.tc it streams tv, albeit mostly indie channels but still interesting.
David Mackey (Who am I?)
1 year ago
I actually really enjoy the streamable tv shows - even more than the downloadable iTunes. Why? Money. The streamable shows have a very reasonable number of ads (perhaps five ads per show) and these ads are short (thirty seconds). Also, the ads are targeted towards me, and I am sure that will improve with time.