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UK Leads in TV Show Downloading
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?
I also believe that it might fuel DVD sales. I believe this because if it only costs say $1 per show then people might be a bit more adventerous and buy shows which they wouldn't just go buy the dvd of. And if they like these shows, they would like to get all the extra stuff that the dvd gives, and hence go out and buy the dvd.
Exactly. I've got basic cable (ie, no HBO)... as a result, I've missed out on some (supposedly) great shows. As an exmample, I've been meaning to check out The Soprano's, as everyone I've heard talking about it goes on about how it's one of the greatest shows ever, blah blah blah. For a buck a pop, I'd download a few episodes and then determine whether or not that $80 DVD set was worth purchasing.
<insert a similar stance on a number of other shows / DVD sets>
speaking from AU, I'm glad that the UK folks made it available - I never would have been able to see such an excellent series otherwise.
The networks here don't give a damn about the viewers and seem to change a show's timeslot every five minutes. Who's got the time to chase the network around to see the shows they want? At least this way I get to see the show on my terms.
That's the wrong question to ask, though. The correct ones would be:
1) Are you willing to pay 30 bucks for watching season 2 of "family guy" (on DVD)?
2) Are you willing to pay 5 bucks for watching season 2 of "family guy" (downloading it)?
I'm pretty sure there are many people who would say "Yes" to 2) but "No" to 1), and although it may seem tempting to try and force these people to pay 30 bucks instead of 5 after all, it won't work. Sometimes, lowering your prices is the best way to make more money...
quidquid latine dictum sit altum videtur.
Hardly surprising
Take ST:VOY for example, the last episode finally aired on 9 last month, you could buy/rent the tape in Australia quite a few years ago and TV execs wonder why no one watches their networks anymore