Digging for dollars in TV-on-demand

As an era of ordering TV shows at the push of a button gets under way, new challenges are clouding the landscape.
The New York Times

The story "Digging for dollars in TV-on-demand" published December 5, 2005 at 5:20 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from The New York Times expires after 7 days.

[hugh dunnit]

99 Cents a TV Show? Why not use DVR then

This might have worked if DVR didn't exist. But guess what, I'd get a DVR and pay that monthly fee before I'd ever pay $0.99/show. Their model should rely on a monthly fee, say $10/month for a package of FOX/NBC/ABC/CBS maybe UPN/WB OnDemand then split it evenly. I'm sure they would include advertisements before and after the shows start, so that would involve more revenue. I just don't see people paying per show. This isn't like music, it's not going to work.

[open-mind]

Re: Why not use DVR?

My DVR only records if I remember to program it. If I forget, I can't watch/record the show unless there's a re-run.

The PPV model doesn't have that limitation.

[Stating]

PBS Needs To Move To This Model

The Public Television stations in my area -- KQED and KETH are crap. Night after night of reruns, and not even good reruns at that. I would be willing to pay a buck or so for good programs from better affilates such as WGBH. The concept of viewer support should be freed from geographical boundaries. Stream the content, charge for it, and let the marketplace decide the winners and losers. Media monopolies are so 20th century.

[groosh33]

Ultramercial Solution for VOD

The patents pending business model that Ultramercial
developed is a perfect fit for the VOD industry. It allows the
viewer to make the choice: watch an ad that "earns" them each
segment of their program - OR - pay-per-view. The viewer
chooses between an explicit exchange of value: their time for
the content - OR - their money. The Ultramercial day/site/
premium pass model has been in place for years at sites like
Salon, TheStreet and Economist gating editorial content. It is
currently being considered by a major network to bring their
shows online. It is an honest upfront approach to advertising
that not only gives the viewer the choice to engage, but presents
the ads in a full-screen, two-way interactive format out
performing all other ad units so advertisers get good value as
well.

Paul Grusche
[e-mail]
Ultramercial.com

[208774626618253979477959487856]

Go Amazon!

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