Boxee making deals with networks

[clcallegari]

This is a step in the right direction

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/b...content-sales/

[TheKrishna]

I do agree it's a great step. However, I would like them to take it a lil further. I understand not wanting to give new episodes of their shows away for free. However, older seasons, older shows, Late Night with David Letterman, I say give these away for free. Throw some adds in so they can get paid, but other than that keep it free. Then offer a pay service to watch newer shows. That in my view would be great.

But for now its a good step. A step googleTV should of taken.

[fitzintx]

So why are the networks going to all charge to view their shows when you can watch them free online? I can't wrap my head around the fact I can watch the latest full episodes online but as soon as you try to do it with Boxee or Google TV then they charge. Is it only because they can?

Seems like I should just get a Mac Mini that will sit nicely next to me tv and use the browser to go watch Full Episodes...

[TheKrishna]

So why are the networks going to all charge to view their shows when you can watch them free online? I can't wrap my head around the fact I can watch the latest full episodes online but as soon as you try to do it with Boxee or Google TV then they charge. Is it only because they can?

Seems like I should just get a Mac Mini that will sit nicely next to me tv and use the browser to go watch Full Episodes...

In my opinion, I think networks honestly think that fans are so loyal that we will pay to see their shows. What they forget is most people have dvrs, online sources, and other ways to watch our fav shows. Or we just don't watch and stop caring after a while. Like I mentioned in befored, this is a step in the right direction for Boxee, but CBS should really offer free shows and such. They can put ads in their shows. I don't mind sitting through a 30-60 second ad.

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

[MrMichaelJames]

So why are the networks going to all charge to view their shows when you can watch them free online? I can't wrap my head around the fact I can watch the latest full episodes online but as soon as you try to do it with Boxee or Google TV then they charge. Is it only because they can?

Seems like I should just get a Mac Mini that will sit nicely next to me tv and use the browser to go watch Full Episodes...

What is your current cable bill? Mine is over $100. Say you watch 2 CBS shows, 24 episodes a season, thats $24 a show a year, $48 for all your CBS shows for a year. You pay $1200 a year for cable. Now add in other networks same pricing. At $24 a show for a season spending the same $1200 on watching just what you want but having to pay $.99 an episode you could watch 50 different shows for their entire season and spend the same amount of money. Do you watch 50 different shows? I know I don't get anywhere near that.

It's the a la cart model. Pay for the shows you want to watch and only the shows you want to watch. Ditch cable, pull locals over the air if you want. Seems like a win win for consumers. Networks would rather sell directly to the consumer instead of having to pay the ridiculous fees to cable companies.

[twistybox]

You may very well have free HD broadcast (ATSC) in your area. Nothing currently beats the quality of HD network programming. And at FREE, nothing beats the price. Even better when you have a PVR set up to record HD.

[funk_dat69]

It's a good step in that it shows Boxee is dealing in good faith with the content owners. However, I, for one, hope CBS (and other networks) move to ad-supported streams. People are used to that and accept that. I for one couldn't justify paying for a 30 minute show when I could easily view it for free elsewhere. (cbs.com, DVR, torrents)

I also hope that Boxee isn't forced to remove other options (WTV/MS-DVR support, Fancast, navi-x) to appease the networks. We will see. Make a deal with the devil..

[Notorious J.E.W]

So why are the networks going to all charge to view their shows when you can watch them free online? I can't wrap my head around the fact I can watch the latest full episodes online but as soon as you try to do it with Boxee or Google TV then they charge. Is it only because they can?

It has to do with the fact that MOST people do not know how to hook a computer up to a TV nor have an extra or dedicated one for that - so if they want brand new shows they are stuck to watching it on their computer only.

Enter boxee and everything else - now anyone can get that content on their TV, but here's the problem - all these networks have contracts with cable providers, so for them to provide this content to a TV for free would most likely go against their broadcast contracts (not including OTA content) with cable providers and possibly even their advertisers who could now lose on air time. But by charging for the service they no longer breach a contract since it would be no different then choosing between say comcast and fios - both companies have contracts with CBS in which you pay a bill to view.

[Ozpeter]

Not to mention contracts with those involved in creating the show in the first place. (I recall reading that a UK TV play from years ago - black and white even - was repeated in recent times, and the repeat fees to the original cast were about ten times more than the show cost the BBC in the first place).

[TheKrishna]

Not to mention contracts with those involved in creating the show in the first place. (I recall reading that a UK TV play from years ago - black and white even - was repeated in recent times, and the repeat fees to the original cast were about ten times more than the show cost the BBC in the first place).

Well that ruins my idea.