CBS, NBC to Offer TV Shows for 99 Cents

According to an AP report. "CBS and NBC have announced deals to offer replays of prime-time programs for 99 cents per episode, shifting television toward a sales model that gained popularity with downloaded music." But the shows will only be available over Comcast on Demand, not for download.

Comments

... but this does not allow the user to keep, no?

[compactable]

... $0.99 seems good, until you realize that this is a rental, not a purchase.

Rental schemes in the music industry have yet to take off (Napster? Yahoo music?). iTunes provides ownership, which I think is a cause of it's popularity ...

The Discussion with a Real User

[Dark Paladin]

Me: OK - now I have my DVR so I can record shows.

Satellite company: Hey, but if you miss a show, you can download it to your DVR!

Me: Uh - that sounds pretty good. How much?

Satellite company: $0.99!

Me: Great - that's a better price than iTunes! So I can download it and watch it on my computer while I'm traveling -

Satellite company: No, you have to watch it at home.

Me: Oh. So can I sync it to my [insert portable video device here]?

Satellite company: No, you can watch it at home.

Me: But - could I just record the show with my DVR then? You know - the whole reason why I got a DVR?

Satellite company: You could, right until we decide that you can't record any shows you can buy. Isn't that swell?

Me: I knew there was a reason why I only use basic cable. This "digital crap but only through our proprietary boxes" is for losers.

Of course, that's just my opinion. I could be wrong.