NBC, CBS to offer shows on demand for 99 cents

Networks unveil separate plans that will allow viewers to watch prime-time shows at their leisure, without commercials.

The story "NBC, CBS to offer shows on demand for 99 cents" published November 7, 2005 at 9:20 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[Sk'py Skwrrrl]

We Need DCATV DVD-RW

Yes, but NBC and CBS still haven't given viewers what they
request the most. What we viewers request is a DVD recorder
with VCR-style functionality

[rafe01]

what???

yeah but NBC and CBS don't make VCRs. I have a Panasonic that does this just fine, and it even makes a mini MP4 version that I can copy onto an SD card and put in my PDA... which I did for Monday Night Football last night and watched on my PDA on the commute into work... and guess what... I skipped the ads!

[rcrusoe]

Paying Twice for the same content!

Under this plan I would have to pay twice for the same content
(Monthly fee to Comcast for the commerical laden broadcast and
$0.99 for the delayed download). And I still couldn't watch it on
my new iPod on the train to work? Sounds to me like an
advertisement for Tivo.

One again it appears that Steve Jobs has proved that most of the
media companies are clueless as to what the consumer wants.

[rafe01]

why?

Record the broadcast yourself if you want and FF thru the ads, or pay .99 for someone to do that for you. Easy really.

I don't see why paying iTunes shop for a highly compressed MP4 320x240 video file is such great value myself.

[El Kabong]

Exackalackaly!

This MUST be an ad for Tivo. Can you imagine paying for re-runs? Next they'll be offering old Mr. Whipple ads (Who-the-heck wants to squeeze the Charmin?) at a bargain price of only $0.99!

[jhewell]

What about the rest of us???

NBC on DirecTV - I don't subscribe.
CBS on Comcast - I'm not in a Comcast area.

These networks need mor ubiquitous solutions.

Come on!

[Juster444]

we'll get it eventually, if successful

I'm sure this is only a starting point. All three big networks now have 'on demand' agreements which can reach only a limited amount of viewers. If this turns out successful for them, then it's only a matter of time before they expand to more viewers via other sattelite and cable providers.

I hope the other providers move agressively and quickly to reach agreements with the networks. If they don't, they will lose subscribers because many of us will switch to whoever keeps up with technology and provides more of these 'on demand' commercial-free options.

[open-mind]

$.99 Cents to View or Download?

Is it $0.99 to watch it just once?

Or is it $0.99 to download and save/view as much as you long/much as you want? Like iTunes.

If they really want to sell their content, they should make it available via ITMS as well.

[wtortorici]

NBC is FREE

NBC has just anounced on their evening news that the Nightly News would be free, not 99c as the headline suggest.

[ajbright]

Distribution was already in place

I think you'll find that this problem has already been resolved through existing channels of distribution. With the correct software, Bittorrent for example, users from any part of the world can download TV shows right now.

I'm sure it will be a great relief to NBC and CBS that without having to invest a single penny, the TV watching public has innovatingly found its own solution to these problems.

So they needn't worry, their delay in providing a method of downloading TV has proved to be a fortunate one for everybody concerned. In fact I would even go as far as to say they needn't bother setting up their own system at all, as it's unlikely that anyone will switch over from the distribution channels that have already been put in place..