iTunes Freebies: "Extras"
So why is it that TV shows are now starting to show up as podcasts rather than in the iTunes store? Today the first episode of Season 2 of Extras became available through iTunes--but it's a podcast. Something similar happened the other day with the PBS science pilots, also available as podcasts. So what's the deal?
Normally, we've been expecting audio blogs, interviews and behind-the-scenes looks in the podcast section and pay-for-episodes in the store. So why is it that entire episodes are now starting to appear in podcastland? Is it just licensing terms? Or is it that this works internationally? Or is it that this way vendors don't have to pre-buy a million episodes at once like ABC did a few months ago? If you have some insight into this new trend (assuming it is a trend), let us know in the comments.
Extras (Season 2 Premiere)
What happens when an unknown actor who can't catch a break actually catches one? Now with HBO Podcast, you can catch the first episode of the new season in its entirety! Plus go behind the scenes and watch an interview with Ricky Gervais! Catch the brand new season, Sunday at 10 pm/9c.
Thanks Fray.
Update: More point-by-point discussion about this trend here.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Lee Grosbauer said 9:11PM on 1-10-2007
Available internationally. Yes indeed. Thanks Apple!
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Miraz Jordan said 9:14PM on 1-10-2007
Here in New Zealand we finaaaaally have an iTunes Store, but no movies or TV shows.
That Extras show is showing up in the podcasts though and I downloaded the 3 science shows the other day.
If they were in the TV shows section then here in NZ we couldn't get them.
I'm in favour. :-)
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I. Akhtar said 10:13PM on 1-10-2007
I think that the reason that these shows are under "Podcasts" instead of "TV Shows" is for ease of downloading.
You need an Apple account to download free TV shows. It was a purchase that didn't cost anything, but you still needed an account to download free shows. Podcast downloads don't require such an account.
It seems like a work-around by either Apple and/or their partners to allow the most people to download the show.
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Thomas Huxley said 10:20PM on 1-10-2007
I love Extras. I saw this series a couple of months ago. It's hilarious. Especially episode 5 in my personal opinion.
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RyAnderson said 10:32PM on 1-10-2007
"Little fat man who sold his soul. Little fat man who sold his dream..."
"See his pug nose face. Pug pug, pug pug!"
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Lebowski said 11:34PM on 1-10-2007
Anyone try to Sync this to their iPod? It doesn't show up as a Podcast or as a TV Show. Ditto for the PBS Science shows. I have a Smart Playlist called 'Never Played' which allowed me to get all of these on to the iPod. Anyone else notice this?
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Erica Sadun said 11:35PM on 1-10-2007
Did you check in Video Podcasts under Video?
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Lebowski said 10:50AM on 1-11-2007
Erica -- Yes I did. Not there. Is that where yours showed up?
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zyphbear said 1:25PM on 1-11-2007
Lebowski - the PBS shows appeared under:
Videos->Video Podcasts->Science Pilots | PBS
I have not yet have a chance to try and download this show.
BTW: I tell iTunes to sync ALL Podcasts, not selective.
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Addicting Games said 5:45PM on 1-11-2007
I like whats going on with these podcasts, lets hope it doesnt change.
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peteopia said 5:51PM on 1-11-2007
isn't it cause the bbc own the rights and they've been issuing the office, extras and numerous other series free online for nearly year now!
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Peteopia said 5:57PM on 1-11-2007
ps.. apple are evil, you have been warned.
oo oo Bill you stole our windows idea for you rival OS......I see you are learning Steve
http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/11/iphone-and-lg-ke850-separated-at-birth
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ctd said 6:32PM on 1-11-2007
Maybe it's a mistake...shhh. Don't say anything, maybe they won't notice.
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Quix said 7:29PM on 1-11-2007
After buying the Fiesta Bowl (both the full game and the condensed version) and finding out the video quality was complete and utter crap, I'm losing my faith in this new "TV through iTunes" dream world in which I had placed all my hopes.
I have no idea what I'm going to get when I hit the Buy button when it comes to TV shows. And that makes me want to steer clear of that button.
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onestep said 9:43PM on 1-11-2007
I have wondered this for sometime. I continue to wonder why ABC puts their content online for viewing in their viewer on the ABC website, but they could simply put the content on iTunes - commercials and all -- under the video podcast section.
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Ryan said 10:18PM on 1-13-2007
I love Ricky Gervais, and I never had a chance to watch 'Extras'. Turns out it's only the first episodes thats going up. Disappointing.
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Jamie said 4:03PM on 1-28-2007
I am confused, I tried to download the show and there are 3 options (behind the scenes stuff) but not the actual episode - is it not available until after it airs on HBO?
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