The pay-per-view concept for broadcast TV is actually a pretty good one but it should be on a optional basis and done as a micropayment or season pass basis.
Take for example, Friends, and lets say 20 million people watch it on a given week. And let's say that the going rate for a commercial free version is 50 cents, or for a 20 episode season, $10 (possibly discounted for a prepaid full season to say $8).
20 million people have the option to pay for the commercial free (CF) viewing rights. Say half of them do, so the network makes about $5 million on the episode cash. Through the cable box or PVR, those viewers get the CF version to watch, record, rewatch, watch later, pause - all the functions they want.
Those that don't pay, get the normal commercialized version. They still have their fair use of a VCR or getting up an leaving to use the bathroom, get a snack or channel surfing, but the commercials are still there. For this audience, calculated in the normal fashion (ratings) or with cable boxes an even more accurate number, the network gets paid by the advertisers.
Now take it one step further!
What about a get paid to watch commercials or using PVR two-way feedback get commercials you might actually be interested in watching - like I really like movie trailers and music, and I happen to be nearing the end of my lease so I want some car ads/offers. What if you could balance your CF shows by watching a few commercial shows, and mayb even providing feedback or requesting more information.
I think there's room for a new system that can make everyone happy. Everyone just has to try and figure it out. I don't want to loose programming because I don't watch commercials (REPLAY TV ROCKS) and for the shows I love, I'd pay the $.
Slashdot Mirror
The pay-per-view concept for broadcast TV is actually a pretty good one but it should be on a optional basis and done as a micropayment or season pass basis.
Take for example, Friends, and lets say 20 million people watch it on a given week. And let's say that the going rate for a commercial free version is 50 cents, or for a 20 episode season, $10 (possibly discounted for a prepaid full season to say $8).
20 million people have the option to pay for the commercial free (CF) viewing rights. Say half of them do, so the network makes about $5 million on the episode cash. Through the cable box or PVR, those viewers get the CF version to watch, record, rewatch, watch later, pause - all the functions they want.
Those that don't pay, get the normal commercialized version. They still have their fair use of a VCR or getting up an leaving to use the bathroom, get a snack or channel surfing, but the commercials are still there. For this audience, calculated in the normal fashion (ratings) or with cable boxes an even more accurate number, the network gets paid by the advertisers.
Now take it one step further!
What about a get paid to watch commercials or using PVR two-way feedback get commercials you might actually be interested in watching - like I really like movie trailers and music, and I happen to be nearing the end of my lease so I want some car ads/offers. What if you could balance your CF shows by watching a few commercial shows, and mayb even providing feedback or requesting more information.
I think there's room for a new system that can make everyone happy. Everyone just has to try and figure it out. I don't want to loose programming because I don't watch commercials (REPLAY TV ROCKS) and for the shows I love, I'd pay the $.