ESPN's Play To Make ISPs Pay

lochii sends us to Wired for reporting on ESPN's game plan to extract royalties from all ISPs, for a "license" for their users to view ESPN video. Currently, according to ESPN, 40% of US Internet users connect through ISPs who are paying the (undisclosed) fees; others are unable to view the content. Quoting: "This is a reversal of the model pushed by some major broadband companies that would like to charge content companies for the right to use their pipes. If other full-length video providers like Hulu and HBO get in on the act, the time could be approaching when you'll choose your Internet service based on what selection of content it offers. Eventually, popular non-video websites might follow suit. Imagine a future water cooler conversation over broadband choice: 'I went with Comcast 'cause they get Yahoo.'"

Comments

Re:I thought we already had this option...

[timmarhy]

as usual you miss the point that, no one is saying capitalism is perfect, it's merely th best system you have right now. standards of living for most people have risen significantly under captialism. just look at china and india, the sole reason they are rising is because of the free trade and money making that's part of capitalism.

if you dislike it i suggest you go live in north korea.