Fox will put TV reruns on the Internet

Network signs six-year agreement with 187 affiliated stations to show reruns of its programs on the Net.

The story "Fox will put TV reruns on the Internet" published April 13, 2006 at 9:55 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

Content from Reuters expires after 30 days.

[bobby_brady]

Why do broadcasters think this will be popular?

For starters, anyone potential customer that would download a show, most likely already has a Tivo or something similar. Now, if all they have to do press the Tivo record button, they will have the show as soon as it's done showing, where as a download, they will have to wait till "the morning after" and then wait for the download.

On top of it, the download will be filled with DRM and have commercials that you cannot blow through, and sometimes you'll have to actually pay for the show.


So the choice is clear. These broadcasters and content "owners" are simply trying to regain more control and are slowly take away our fair use laws.

[cptmcnair]

Why do broadcasters think this will be popular?

As someone who has to download a bit torrent of Prison Break for a friend who does not have DVR, I'm all for this. Also, anyone in Iraq or Kuwait can now see their favorite shows because they are asleep during prime time. I would have been thrilled to have been able to download a NASCAR race because all three AFN networks had to show the dismal Team USA basketball losing to Botswana in the Olympics.

[rcrusoe]

Can I download or is it a stream?

If I can download the show and watch it on my tv, great. I watch so few programs, I'm about to give Comcast the boot.

If it's a stream that I have to watch on a pc, don't bother.

[freq]

shoutcasttv

I like shoutcasttv.. a similiar model would be wise. Imo... but cut the commercials out... if you have to register for fewer more percise commercials... so be it. fine.. but cut out most of the commericials..

[KeithCash]

My Dream come true

My Dream come true??
This will be letting me control my time when i want to watch something.

Again Great.

[Bruce Barber]

Another step in the right direction

I applaud this decision by Fox, although I wish it would have
happened sooner-- I missed the first episode of "24" this season
because of a conflict in my TiVo playlist.

Content producers, distributors, and advertisers all benefit when
more people watch their programming.

And we, as viewers, benefit from additional options. On demand
network programing seems like a win-win proposition to me.