What does everyone think about the recent VOD ("video on demand") developments, with CBS/Comcast & NBC/DirecTV deals? Some articles (see below) make reference to the Apple video iPod/iTunes medium (.99/show), which is VOD.
Everyone seems to be jumping on the "audio podcast" medium:
"NEWS: iTunes Podcast Subscriptions Top One Million in First Two Days "
"That event kicked off a tsunami of new audio podcasts that has yet to abate."
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/ptech/...reut/index.html
Apple on Monday announced that its customers at its iTunes Music Store has bought and downloaded more than one million videos in less than 20 days. Video content first appeared for purchase on October 12, 2005
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"Selling one million videos in less than 20 days strongly suggests there is a market for legal downloads," Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, said in a statement. "Our next challenge is to broaden our content offerings, so that customers can enjoy watching more videos on their computers and new iPods,"
Sources have said Apple is in discussions to lure more television networks to provide programming.
It looks as if "Video on Demand" (VoD) is beginning to catch on:
http://www.latimes.com/business/cus...-home-headlines
Cable giant Comcast Corp. struck an agreement with Viacom Inc.'s CBS network that will let cable subscribers with digital service order the top-rated "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Survivor," "The Amazing Race" and "NCIS." Viewers will pay 99 cents an episode through their video-on-demand cable service.
Just last month, Walt Disney Co.'s ABC struck a deal to sell its popular network series "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives" on Apple Computer Inc.'s video iPods for $1.99 an episode.
Both deals are the first of what are expected to be numerous similar arrangements. They mark the latest examples of how technology is altering the television experience and the traditional network business.
"For 50 years, TV has been a passive medium," said David Zaslav, president of NBC Universal's cable group, which includes networks USA and Bravo, whose programming is also part of the DirecTV deal. "But consumers want more choice and more convenience. All the signals are there of a meaningful change in how people watch television."
"If you don't play, you'll get left behind," NBC Universal's Zaslav said.
He added that NBC programming would be increasingly available on devices other than television, such as cellphones, to expand its revenue sources. NBC makes parts of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" available for download on mobile phones.
