Kiosk.net

NBC recently announced that it would be offering $.99 downloads over DirecTV DVR boxes. Call me crazy, but isn’t this a step backwards for DVR owners, who can already record any show for free? Either way, this is a clear reaction to ABC’s Apple iTunes partnership. As you probably know, Disney/ABC are currently offering TV content over iTunes for $1.99 per show.

In related news, CBS followed suit, except with Comcast Digital Cable On Demand service. The downloads are still 99 cents.

“Beginning in January, Comcast Digital Cable customers in markets served by CBS owned-and-operated television stations (including the top 7 US markets)will be able to view episodes of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, NCIS, Survivor and The Amazing Race on Comcast’s ON DEMAND service. The on-demand programs will be available as early as midnight following their broadcast on the CBS television network. Each episode will cost 99 cents, and customers will be able to view the episodes anytime they want for up to 24 hours from the time they order them. Certain Comcast systems also may make CSI and NCIS available ON DEMAND in high-definition for customers with HD-enabled Comcast digital cable set-top boxes.”

This makes a little more sense, as most On Demand users do not own DVR boxes, and might actually appreciate the ability to buy a show they missed. Up until now, most On Demand features have been free to use. For example, if you’re an HBO subscriber, you can watch The Sopranos On Demand for free. It would be amazing if networks did the same thing, but I doubt their sponsors would like that much.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 8th, 2005 at 4:01 pm and is filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.