Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

UK Leads in TV Show Downloading

Posted by timothy on from the they-beamed-it-through-me dept.

dirutz writes "Britain has emerged as the world's biggest market for downloading pirated TV, with Australia being the second and the U.S. sitting at third. Among the top pirated TV shows, '24' ranks the first. 'The Simpsons,' 'Enterprise,' 'Stargate SG-1' and 'Battlestar Galactica' are also among the top hitters." 'Pirated' seems a strong word, at least for watching those programs which have been beamed (unencrypted) through my body. Where can I pay a quarter per show for moderate-quality, sanctioned torrent files?

5 of 355 comments (clear)

  1. Not Suprising by dasheiff · · Score: 2, Informative

    This is really not suprising because many of these TV shows don't make it over the pond till a few years after their orginal air date. But of course internet discussion is always my the american dates so if people want to see these shows and not wait years, they need to download them.

  2. WTF - Battlestar Galactica by BWS · · Score: 2, Informative

    why would UKers be downloading Battlestar Galactica? it airs for them 3 months before us..

    --
    -- Note: These Comments are Generated by ME! Not You! ME!
    1. Re:WTF - Battlestar Galactica by arkhan_jg · · Score: 4, Informative

      Because Battlestar Galactica was aired on Sky 1, a satellite channel. The minimum subscription, last I checked, was £13.50 a month ($25) for the most basic package which includes it.

      In addition, there's plenty of places that can't install a satellite dish (or install cable), such as rental properties or blocks of flats under tenancy agreements.

      Even of the small percentage of the population (about 15% I think) who can watch Sky, some people may not have been around when it was broadcast, and downloading it is better than using tape, and simpler than ripping the ads yourself.

      --
      Remember kids, it's all fun and games until someone commits wholesale galactic genocide.
  3. Re:I am totally shocked Aust. is Second by donscarletti · · Score: 2, Informative

    Per capita, Australia is comfortably in 1st position, with 1.22 times as much downloaded by every person.

    --
    When Argumentum ad Hominem falls short, try Argumentum ad Matrem
  4. Re:why is it piracy? by 91degrees · · Score: 4, Informative

    Can't I record an episode of the simpson with my vcr?

    Yup. Delayed viewing. Explicitely permitted by law.

    If yes, can my friends borrow the tape from me? Can I do that

    Possibly. IANAL but it probably comes under fair use.

    If yes, what if I have 1000 friends? is it still legal?

    Then you're pushing your luck. Fair use takes into account various factors, including impact on the market. Letting a few friends see a copy is unlikely to have a huge effect on the market. It may result in a lost 'sale' (or rather fewer viewers resulting in lower revenue)for the broadcasters, but the effect will be small. Sharing with 1000 people is a lot more likely to have an effect. But you are limited here. It will take a long time to lend it to 1000 people. At the minimum, if only one person watches it at a time, it will be difficult for all of them to see it within a month.

    If yes, can I use bitorrent to share the video??

    No.