NBC Will Offer Ad-Supported Free TV Downloads

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NBC has struck the most recent blow in the on-going, extremely catty break-up between the media giant and Apple, announcing it in November it would enable consumers to download “many of its most popular programs” for free. Provided they watch embedded ads that can’t be removed. On their computers. Within seven days of the air-date. When they self-destruct. No, I’m not kidding. As BuzzSugar puts it:

  • The video will only work for a week after the episodes are broadcast.
  • Only a limited number of shows will be available at the start, but at least they’re generally good ones: “Heroes,” “The Office,” “Life,” “Bionic Woman,” “30 Rock,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
  • The content won’t be available to Mac users (um, take that, Apple?)

Now that’s got to have Apple quaking in its boots — the return of the original DiVX technology plan! Best of all, it’s Windows-only! So great! NBC does claim that its downloads will soon be compatible with iPods and Macs, and that it will eventually offer ad-free downloads that will be transferrable to other devices, but not until mid-2008.

Still, this is a fascinating twist. I can’t wait to see what comes next. The video download market is nowhere near as locked up as music is.

(Thanks, Kimra and Andrew!)

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14 responses to “NBC Will Offer Ad-Supported Free TV Downloads”

  1. David B. says:

    What I especially love is this quote in the NY Times regarding the future of TV from Jeff Gaspin, the president of the NBC Universal Television Group:

    “I don’t think anyone would argue with the idea that the customer is going to be in control.”

    NBC has a perfect right to do this, but to argue that this plan is a step toward customer control of content is a little ridiculous.

  2. MR says:

    I’m viewing the cultofmac homepage, and one of the sidebar ads is for buying “The Office” on iTunes, along with other NBC shows.
    Maybe your advertisers need to update something?

  3. Daddy or Chips? says:

    Gosh, one can see how one may have to stick with those naughty torrents then. Or, same as it ever was for anyone outside the USA.

  4. imajoebob says:

    Yeah! Freakin’ geniuses at NBC. Let’s exclude the most desirable demographic from being able to see our shows. Why would they want the group with the higher disposable income (and they do dispose of it) to view their programs? This makes as much sense as cancelling Studio 60. It only got a 9 rating, vs. a 20 to 24 for “American Idol,” or about 12 or 13 for most other “high” rated shows. But here’s the catch: The demo for Studio 60 had an average income of almost $70K!! About 50% higher than the next closest, and well above the average income of Idol viewers, about $25K. So which do you want? A media buy of 8 million people who buy a Lexus, shop at Nordstrom’s, and eat out 4 nights a week (at actual restaurants), or 19 million who drive a 5 year old Caravan, shop at Wal-Mart, and think taking the kids to the drive thru and eating in the minivan is a night out? They made the same choice here. Add to that the reliability of Windows under stress (like viewing streaming data), and you’re sure to drive the online viewers away in about 3 weeks. (And what? No Scrubs!?)

  5. garax says:

    Really this is extremely similar to the recently launched UK system – with broadcasters such as the BBC and Channel 4 offering 7 day catch up. The stuff is DRM protected – so – yup – too bad Mac. Although in the BBC case at least its necessary because of the unique way the BBC is funded that some form of platform nutral solution be provided – be that an extension of download or an across the board streaming solution.

  6. Press Release Distribution TWN says:

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  7. cLake says:

    So this “Service” won’t be available until mid-2008? OK, well.. iTunes is available RIGHT NOW! DUH!!!!!