NBC to offer free show downloads
Michael Gay September 19th, 2007
NBC announces that they will start beta testing free program downloads in October that will allow users to watch shows for free on their computer for up to one week after it is broadcast for free. The free shows at launch will include “Heroes,” “The Office,” “Life,” “Bionic Woman,” “30 Rock,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.” Did I mention they are free? The NBC Direct service will even let users subscribe to shows and have the episodes downloaded as soon as they are available, for free. Mac support and portable player support will be included in future phases. Wow, I want in the beta. Press release after the jump.
BURBANK, Calif. - September 19, 2007 - NBC.com today announced the launch of its new service, “NBC Direct,” which will allow users to download and view NBC’s popular primetime and late-night entertainment programming on their desktops for up to one week after broadcast. This new feature provides yet another platform on which fans will be able to enjoy NBC Entertainment content. The announcement was made by Vivi Zigler, Executive Vice President, NBC Digital Entertainment.
“With the creation of this new service, we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be in control of how, when and where they consumer their favorite entertainment,” said Zigler. “Not only does this feature give them more control, but it also gives them a higher quality video experience.”
The first version of this new feature, which will begin beta testing in October, will allow users to download full length episodes for viewing on Windows based PCs. Each original episode will be licensed to users for viewing through “NBC Direct” for one week following broadcast and will then expire. The downloaded file will provide users with an improved overall viewing experience compared to traditional streaming video. The list of programs available at launch will include “Heroes,” “The Office,” “Life,” “Bionic Woman,” “30 Rock,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Later in the beta launch, users will be provided the free subscription option that will allow them to pre-select their favorite NBC programs they want to watch. Those shows will be automatically delivered to their computers as soon as they are available after the original broadcast. The downloadable player will also have filtering technology, which will prevent it from playing any stolen copyrighted material.
Future versions of “NBC Direct,” which will roll out over the next several months, will provide expanded platform functionality and will allow DRM (”digital rights management”) protected versions of its programs to be downloaded to Macs and portable devices in addition to PCs. NBC.com plans future enhancements such as high-resolution versions of programming made available via a closed P2P (”peer to peer”) distribution network. Using closed P2P will ensure that the maximum number of users will be able to view consistent, high-quality content directly from their desktops. Later in 2008, NBC.com plans to offer other business models for downloaded content in order to provide its users multiple options to consume their favorite NBC programs. These paid business models may include download-to-own, rental and subscription.
8 Comments Add your own
1. Don Day | September 19th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
This is the same NBC that’s having a falling out with Apple over the price of show downloads… right? Didn’t NBC want to raise the prices? Odd…
2. invitedmedia | September 19th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
ok, in one sentence they state “…we are acknowledging that now, more than ever, viewers want to be incontrol of how when and where…”. then spend the next 3 paragraphs telling the viewer how nbc will control how, when and where.
i smell a complete recall due to the lead content already.
3. Charles | September 19th, 2007 at 8:26 pm
The downloads are only good for a week, so if you want to download to own, you’ll still need to pay. NBC’s on AmazonUnbox now, right? (That’s where I watched Bionic Woman and Chuck for free.)
4. Rick | September 19th, 2007 at 9:20 pm
Reading between the lines (and adding what I know about the deal).
In some ways, it’s an ingenious idea. By pulling videos off of iTunes, it limits the options for someone wanting to download NBCU shows. NBCU then offers up free downloads, embedded with ads you can’t skip, and that expire in a week. That leaves open the ability of the network to see the DVD season sets, or even a full season digital set. It also allows them to stream archived videos on their sites or on demand.
Even better for NBCU, they’ll push viewers to a player that won’t play illegally downloaded material (and presumably, anything from iTunes).
It’s a genius idea, although also stupid in so many ways. It’s an interesting gamble, though, and how this is all integrated with Hulu.
It’s an attempt for NBCU to force viewers back into a controlled environment, and I’m curious to see how this plays out.
5. Joe | September 20th, 2007 at 9:51 am
It won’t work. If NBC had the Sopranos or the Simpsons or a show I wanted to watch, maybe. But now with the current lineup. In a matchup between this and a TiVo, TiVo wins hands down.
6. wren | September 20th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Does anyone know if NBCU makes more money per CPM from free downloads w/advertising or airing via an affiliate with 14 minutes of adload?
7. Michael Gay | September 20th, 2007 at 11:31 am
Joe, I love The Office and Heroes. NBC might not be Must See anymore, but they still have a few can’t miss shows.
8. Anon | September 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
I love the Office and Heroes as well. 30 Rock has also became a favirote. I will try it out once, and see what I think. However, I’m more likely to just watch episodes on nbc.com than wait for a download.
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