Comments on: TV is Dead, Long live TV (Downloads)

By: Darrel

Darrel — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 18:15:25 +0000

TV isn’t important enough for a lot of folks to schedule their weeks around. As we become a busier society (for better AND worse) things like TV will suffer.

These days, TV is used just to pass the time once in a while when the kids are snoozing we parents have a few minutes to ourselves. It really doesn’t matter whats on.

For the shows I really do want to watch, BitTorrent and iTunes takes care of that (iTunes likely the eventual winner once they go HD). In fact, BitTorrent and iTunes is slowly driving me to the point where I’m going to break down and get a TIVO I think. ;o)

Podcasting has completely eliminated Radio for me other than the few times I turn on the Current while in the car.

“seems a bit strange that the networks arenâ€™t providing HDTV files of popular shows with advertising”

I agree. Let us download the show + commercials. I want to see the show now…instant gratification…so likely won’t take the time to pre-edit the commercials out and will gladly watch them for the benefit of seeing the show.

The added bonus is that one can track downloads to a person…Nielson Ratings can’t even come close to that sort of statistical accuracy.

By: Garrick Van Buren

Garrick Van Buren — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 03:55:45 +0000

What we're talking about here is a separation between an item, it's packaging, and it's distribution method. Historically with media they've been one in the same. We refer to things by their distribution method (movies, newspapers, television). We're now in a world where the same video could be distributed over broadcast television, cable televison, iTunes Music Store, RSS feed, or Netflix. Back when iTunes 6.0 was released, I announced the death of the record store, cable company, movie theater and television advertising. So yeah, I agree.

By: Bryce

Bryce — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 21:20:28 +0000

Its that very “watch it when I want to mentality” that has me so confused about TV networks clamping down on BitTorrents of shows that have already aired.

I remember downloading the SXSW music sampler (close to 2gb) in under a half hour. With that in mind it seems a bit strange that the networks aren’t providing HDTV files of popular shows with advertising included for easy download as soon as the program airs. Seems like an easy way to increase viewers and advertising penetration.

TV programs are broadcast free, we can use TiVO or even a VCR to record the broadcast for later viewing but as soon as a file is available as a download the problem starts…

By: Garrick Van Buren

Garrick Van Buren — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 21:01:43 +0000

Can’t wait until Tivo upgrades my box’s firmware so I can get podcasts and videoblogs over the tv.

If videoblogs and bigmediatv are both playable on the same devices I think bigmediatv will quickly seem silly and boring.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 15 Dec 2005 20:43:43 +0000

As a side note to this article.. I used to watch quite a bit of TV when I had my DVR (both a replayTV and a Charter/Moxi). Now I’m in an apt with the dish network. Some of my channels are on basic cable, the others are on the bird. and I can’t get a DVR (apt. complex handcuffs a bit on options) unless I dig my old replay out of the attic.

The end result is that I can’t watch TV when I want to watch it.. so reading has certainly ensued in my new place. Oh well it’s for the better I guess, but I’m going to HAVE to do something before the new season of 24 starts.