NBC to offer content, DRM via NBC Direct

I suggest every download a copy of this great open-source app. It basically downloads torrents of TV shows for you automatically when they are uploaded. Now just write an automator script with visual hub to transcode them and pop them into iTunes, and you've got yourself a perfectly working replacement for NBC shows in iTunes.

To the kid who asked, "Why haven't you been 'stealing' from NBC in the first place? I guess if you can't give Apple your money you'd just as soon not give it to anyone, huh?"

The reason is convenience. I *loved* paying $35 for the third season of the Office to automatically download to my computer and sync to my devices without me having to click a single button. With torrents, it's usually more of a pain, (and I don't condone stealing unless there's no other way, which, since I only have a mac, and don't have a TV, there's not).

I want to shag Tina Fey

With NBC starting up there own content delivery system something caught my eye in today's NYTs article.

"But, Mr. Gaspin said, “piracy was and is our No. 1 priority.” He said that the music industry had been devastated by the free exchange of music, much of it facilitated by iTunes."

I didn't know anyone had cracked the DRM on iTunes videos and is iTunes leading to the sharing of free music? Where's this guy get his information?

I'd be much more interested in NBC's own iTunes.. With blackjack! And women! If they screwed the iTunes part rather than the blackjack and women.

And I don't gamble and am married.

Hey, if I can (eventually) get them to play fullscreen on my Mac Mini media center, with a little Apple Remote action, I'm all for the idea.

Also, I love Tina Fey.

I wouldn't use it even if I owned a PC. I'll just wait for the DVDs to come out, just like I did before iTunes got TV shows.

It sucks they are leaving iTunes, but cest la vie.

I'll live.

Wow, I woke up this morning thinking, we really need yet another player that restricts us to only one type of content.

My, isn't this dandy. They have to stop drinking the cool-aid and start getting in touch with people/reality again. These guys have lost it a long time ago. And for what quality show they offer... I'm sure gonna buy all their stuff.

The press release I read actually made the service sound appealing - I mean, I wasn't going to pay $1.99 to buy anything off of iTunes anyway (NBC or otherwise - I'm not paying for a TV from iTunes - if I want to own the series, I will buy the DVD - not some low-res DRM video episode -- plus, BitTorrent) - but the opportunity to get HD downloads for free (I don't mind watching a few ads), especially if the show isn't capped by one of the bigger TV groups isn't something that I think is a bad idea. I mean, it sucks that Mac compatibility won't be available out of the gate (though, Parallels, Fusion) - but I honestly think that most average people who want to catch an episode of a TV show on their computer (and most people who buy off of iTunes are not using Apple TV - they just aren't) will prefer free - even with a limited viewing window (and that's just so NBC doesn't have to pay the actors/production companies/producers/writers money for the service - the same way they do with iTunes or on DVD - they can just say that this is an extension of regular broadcast contracts) - over $1.99.

I still see myself using BitTorrent to catch something that TiVo misses, but I am not going to knock this idea on its face just because it is an alternative to Apple. I love Apple, but Steve Jobs is not my God and I'm a firm believer that competition is required to keep pushing innovation. I think that this kind of system addresses the future of programming and how audiences consume their entertainment. User directed timeshifting has blown up thanks to low-priced DVRs that just about anyone with cable can access for very little money a month - an accessible - and free - way to get programming on a computer just opens up that market even more. I'll gladly take NBC to task for the PR gaffe in the whole iTMS contract thing, but they are at least making an effort to not only embrace what thousands of viewers have been doing for years (downloading shows off the net to watch), but they are trying to capitalize on it - without asking for $2 an episode. Convenience is fine and dandy - but even though I have paid as much as $100 for one season of a TV show on DVD (a season of Homicide -- I did it once and then just waited until the per-season price was cheap enough to get for $30 or so -- and then of course the series box set came out - RIGHT after I completed my collection), and have spent at least $10,000 on TV show DVDs in general, I won't pay $2 an episode - not for the quality iTunes is offering. Plus, the DRM restrictions at the iTMS aren't any less than anything else. I can watch it on my Mac or PC -- I can watch it on my TV if I use Apple TV or I connect my Mac to my TV...but I can't burn a DVD without using the analog hole and even if I do burn the data to a disc, I'm limited to a set number of computers that can play back the file. The only way the NBC program sounds any worse is that it limits users to one week to watch the show. Honestly, for free, that's fair.

This was the last paragraph of the press release:
"Future versions of "NBC Direct," which will roll out over the next several months, will provide expanded platform functionality and will allow DRM ("digital rights management") protected versions of its programs to be downloaded to Macs and portable devices in addition to PCs. NBC.com plans future enhancements such as high-resolution versions of programming made available via a closed P2P ("peer to peer") distribution network. Using closed P2P will ensure that the maximum number of users will be able to view consistent, high-quality content directly from their desktops. Later in 2008, NBC.com plans to offer other business models for downloaded content in order to provide its users multiple options to consume their favorite NBC programs. These paid business models may include download-to-own, rental and subscription."

Personally, I think the idea of high-speed HD downloads - even with DRM - is a good thing - just because it's finally a legitimate way to get HD content. I don't understand how offering consumers an option to download something for free (even with ads) is a bad move - I just don't. Yeah, I'm sure the player is going to be sucktastic - but iTunes for Windows is pretty awful too, so really, I'm not understanding all the hate. Maybe this will push Apple to embrace HD downloads.

"Luna Lovegood" is fast becoming the premiere TUAW troll. (golf claps)

Hey 26 - most of that money goes to the network that owns the show, not to Apple. You have missed the point entirely.