Video-on-Demand Success in France Deters Piracy

njondet writes "The Hollywood Reporter reports that TF1, the French broadcaster of the hit TV show 'Heroes' has welcomed the success of its video-on-demand (VOD) offering. The service allows French internet users to watch episodes of the second season of Heroes just 24 hours after their original US broadcast. With more than 50,000 paid viewings of the first episode in three days, it is by far the most successful VOD product in France. And although these figures still pale in comparison with the estimated 1.5 million illegal downloads per episode for the first season in France, TF1 is confident that it is building a viable alternative to piracy."

Comments

Re:When can I get this?

[Mishotaki]

"The episodes are available (with French subtitles) starting from 2.99 euros each, or by packs of two (4.99 euros) or three episodes (5.99 euros)"
that's pretty expensive for an episode... considering that it's either streamed or rented only...
at least i'd expect it to be legally sold to you for such a price...

i'd still download it for that price... i'd pay a buck for the "priviledge" of viewing it once... but not 3 bucks (more since it's in euro) to view it once...

Am I missing something?

[Anonymous Coward]

This is better than free how?

(does the above link not work in France?)

Re:Am I missing something?

[janrinok]

No, the above link does not work in France, or many other countries in Europe. In fact, it might only work in the USA.

Re:Typical French behavior.

[tietokone-olmi]

Without France there wouldn't be an USA, just a greater Britain.