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NBC will offer downloadable TV shows

20 September 2007 7:30 by Rich "vurbal" Fiscus | 5 comments

NBC plans to offer downloads of a limited number of shows starting in October. The downloads will include adds that can't be skipped and will include DRM to only allow playback for a week after the episode airs on TV.

It sounds similar to the BBC's iPlayer, which was launched to a limited number of users earlier this year, although that program is designed specifically for people who pay for TV licenses that are used for BBC funding, and currently allows viewers to watch downloaded programs for up to 30 days.

Although NBC will certainly be criticized for including the ads, their shows are already available without commercials for a fee. They can also be viewed commercial free with a DVR, or streamed from NBC's website.

"With the creation of this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite entertainment," said Vivi Zigler, executive vice president of NBC Digital Entertainment.

A limited number of shows will initially be available, including "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 service will require a client that NBC will provide on their website. Only a Windows version is available at this time, although a Macintosh version is planned, as is portable device support. Future versions of the player will include a feature to subscribe to shows for automatic download. Eventually hi-def content should also be available through the creation of a closed P2P network.

Source: Associated Press

Permalink to this article

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BBC adds Firefox support to the iPlayer (2 February 2008)

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NBC pulls plug on YouTube channel (21 October 2007)

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Comcast P2P traffic filtering confirmed (19 October 2007)

HD customers love quality but disappointed with programming options (6 October 2007)

ABC to offer free TV show downloads as well (21 September 2007)

BBC's iPlayer fuels criticism from open source advocates (16 September 2007)

NBC TV shows to be available on Amazon's Unbox (4 September 2007)

NBC denies Apple's claims (2 September 2007)

Update: Apple talks out about NBC fallout (31 August 2007)

ISPs complain about video bandwidth (13 August 2007)

BBC viewers unhappy about limited access to iPlayer (31 July 2007)

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Discuss this article!
emugamer (Junior Member) 20 September 2007 7:47
*Quote:* "With the creation of this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite entertainment," said Vivi Zigler, executive vice president of NBC Digital Entertainment. "......so we have provided a service that does not address this issue at all...." Yeah, is that why they kill it after a week with DRM? Clueless. I would be surprised if this is ever used. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 20 September 2007 7:49
windsong (Junior Member) 20 September 2007 8:38
Someone should tell these bozos that we've been downloading TV shows for FREE since the mid 90s!!! I think I here a Napster echo...next they'll try and "sell" us youtube clips [ + quote]
wolf123 (Member) 20 September 2007 12:42
M [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 22 September 2007 6:57
CTerrian (Newbie) 21 September 2007 20:19
Keep moving... There's nothing new here. We outside of the Hollywood know that we have been recording. "Don't Taze me, Bro" [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 28 September 2007 4:18
If i cant stop it could i just fast forward the ads. [ + quote]