[opendtv] NBC Universal, P2P firm launch on-demand films
- From: s.macedo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 20 Nov 2005 01:39:07 -0000 (GMT)
Apple sells ABS and Disney TV episodes online,
NBC and CBS sell VOD online,
AOL uses Kontiki's P2P network for DVD streaming,
Cisco buys Scientific Atlanta to enter the STB arena,
and now, NBC uses P2P for VOD too
all of this in the last weeks...
At this rate, who will need digital terrestrial paid TV?
Silvio
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
By Cynthia Littleton and Chris Marlowe
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - NBC Universal has struck a deal with
technology and commerce specialist Wurld Media that will make selected
movies available for on-demand downloading via peer-to-peer distribution
early next year.
NBC Universal said it marks the first time a major studio has licensed
content to a P2P service.
Saratoga Springs, N.Y.-based Wurld Media is one of the companies striving
to rehabilitate the image of P2P, whose distribution technology is popular
among pirates. Its main competitors in the legitimate P2P space include
PassAlong, Intent Media, iMesh and Snocap-powered services like Mashboxx.
NBC Universal added that it partnered with Wurld Media because of its
commitment to carry only authorized content on its secure Peer Impact
network.
The companies have not yet determined the fees that it will charge for
film downloads. NBC Universal said it would offer all of the titles that
are available on its existing video-on-demand and pay-per-view services
carried by cable and satellite operators. That means a range of
contemporary releases -- including "The 40-Year-Old Virgin," "Cinderella
Man," "Ray" and "The Motorcycle Diaries" -- as well as 75-100 older titles
from the Universal library.
The deal at present does not include any NBC Universal-produced TV series,
but it does cover special programs that NBC Universal offers on VOD/PPV
such as "Jerry Springer: Uncensored," uncensored versions of the
syndicated dating shows "5th Wheel" and "Blind Date" and the
Spanish-language novela "Laura Sin Censura."
Peer Impact users will be able to view the films for a 24-hour period once
they hit the "play" button on their computers. The file will remain on a
user's computer for 30 days in an effort to hasten the download speeds of
other Peer Impact users who purchase the same titles, because P2P gains
speed and efficiency with each additional copy of content on the network.
Consumers log on to the secure network, where they can preview clips of
all available content. Payment is due upon checkout, though Gregory
Kerber, chairman and CEO of Wurld Media, said many users choose to keep a
balance to draw from.
Kerber said the strength of NBC Universal's brand will help overcome
users' lack of technical knowledge. "This is content they know, so that
will give people a sense of familiarity," he said. "People won't need to
know P2P, they'll just know the convenience it gives them at a price point
they find worthwhile."
Reuters/Hollywood Reporter
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=internetNews&storyID=2005-11-18T123409Z_01_RID835635_RTRUKOC_0_US-NBCUNIVERSAL.xml&archived=False
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.
Other related posts:
- » [opendtv] NBC Universal, P2P firm launch on-demand films
