This is the setting of my dream TV network(s). I hope, one day this (or something along those lines), will be reality. For now I can only dream.
The TV network of my dreams produces its own shows — like most do. They have a video portal where people are able to watch their TV shows. They are offered in different qualities — regular, HD, iPod, … and both as a stream or downloadable. All their shows can be seen while they air as well as afterwards. The only difference is — the service isn’t limited to their own country.
In order not to ruin anyone in the food chain, this service of getting TV shows isn’t free. BUT everyone, from all over the world can get it. There are different rates depending on if you want HD, download it, one TV show or all of them, or without advertisements. Since people have to sign up, the advertisers can customize their ads depending on where the viewers are coming from.
So far, the networks would make more money from all the international viewers who would rather have the possibility to get new TV shows legally and pay for it, than to get it off the internet. There have been voices that there should be more “flat-rate” options for copyrighted material. As unpractical this might be for many as far as music is concerned (one usually listens to a song more often than watches an episode of a TV show), for TV shows this could be a real alternative.
Another member of the TV food chain would be the international TV stations that pay tons of money to be the “first ones” to air the hottest TV shows. That this still means a one-year delay, no one seems to consider. Besides the fact that I have a hard time thinking it takes a year to translate one episode of a TV show, there is still the market that doesn’t speak the TV show’s original language. So maybe, national TV channels would pay less for the new TV shows, giving them at the same time the possibility to buy more. And the producing channel would get in the revenue of those people anyway in a more direct way.
I don’t see any copyright licensing problems here, since I am sure the network that produced the show has all the rights.
Call me out if I forgot someone in the food chain, that I would ruin someone with my idea — which isn’t my intention at all.
I know that there are more and more services that offer, for example, TV shows for download. But those aren’t always available on a global level. And I also admit that we are (hopefully) on the right way, and that we might only need patience.
Again, since I don’t have any patience, I want it now.
Well, yesterday.
Or at least before the summer hiatus is over.
Prettyplease??
