Comments on: Even Pirates Have Hearts, Just Not TVs Tuned Into American Networks

By: Lupus

Lupus — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 18:01:11 +0000

Now try living in the tip of Africa, we often get TV series years after they’ve aired in the states and that is on our Premium TV channels. Often I am about two years ahead of our TV channels and it is very frustrating to try wait for them to catch up. It would be great if they realized they could reach more people legally if they could air the series perhaps day afterwards. But it is also airing rights that have to be paid to the networks. It is the same as British TV series as well, I’m not for pirating everything that is aired globally but TV series I am in the gray area about, as I will buy the DVD’s if they are released locally. But then again a lot of series don’t even air in this country or I have to pay an extreme premium to watch them and they are still far behind. I agree with everything in this article.

By: Ethy78

Ethy78 — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 21:51:20 +0000

Same situation in France - I totally agree with all points made in this article.

I am all for european HULU !!

By: guenthecat

guenthecat — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:34:20 +0000

I 100% agree! I am vehemently opposed to pirating. I have friends who do it and it makes me sad that they don’t care they are stealing. So I’ve always been adamant about never pirating myself. But then along came a little show called So You Think You Can Dance. This show is my favorite show Ever. And often the dances presented are so moving that I would like to have a copy of them to watch over and over. Unfortunately, this show, much like American Idol, does not re-run nor does it release on DVD. MTV ran Season 3 just before Season 4 started, but I’ve not seen any evidence of them doing that again. I actually did find a VCR to record that season on, but I missed half of it due to weird scheduling times. So that’s the only show that I pirate. Because what is the difference between myself pirating that show which will never be released on DVD and someone who has TiVo recording it off their TV (while they’re watching or to watch later) and keeping the copy. There is no difference. The show is presented on Free TV which anyone can get with an antenna and so it is available for anyone to record for free. Now, I don’t have the money for a TiVo, but I do have internet. So I download. And as soon as this show is released on DVD I can GUARANTEE you I will be buying Every Season! So Come on Nigel Lithgowe!!! Figure something out so I can give you my money!!!

By: IrrationaliTV

IrrationaliTV — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 16:46:04 +0000

I agree that the best solution is for timely airings. I feel the pain when BBCAmerica airs the Dr. Who Christmas special in June. It sucks! And I was completely spoiled for this summer’s Torchwood.

What we have to ask is “where is the bottleneck?” Is it the US studios holding up international airings?” No. “Is it the US networks holding up international airings?” No. The only people holding up the airings is the international networks like Sky1, and UK Sci-fi. They are trying to eliminate all risk from their business model by waiting as long as possible to see if a show will be successful in the US first before committing to the purchase.

You will notice that older more proven shows will air very closely to the US date. The solution is to get the international networks to commit to earlier pick-ups. They are slowing down the system and that is where energies need to be directed.

I understand the desire to have “what I want now”. I am, afterall, American and that is bred into us. However, the vast majority of those who can justify piracy to themselves, to feel better, never buy a DVD or make a purchase on iTunes. They are just stealing. Yes, the system needs to work better, but people need to also stop lying to themselves and others about what is and what isn’t outright theft.

The more widespread the belief that piracy isn’t theft, the fewer quality genre/cult shows will be made. We all lose horribly.

By: Pasha

Pasha — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:34:30 +0000

IrrationaliTV –

It doesn’t change my argument. I suspect Hulu UK won’t be allowed to put shows online until after the UK stations air them due to international copyright as DQ mentioned. Although I’ll be more than happy to be wrong about that and if I am let me know.

And I’m glad Sci Fi are stepping up the pace on Dollhouse, this season. But it doesn’t change the fact that various other imports will suffer the same problems Dollhouse season 1 did.

I’m all for people paying for content or watching it as it airs, as I said in the article, but I think the content should be available in a timely fashion. If it was I’d be flying that flag higher than anyone. But it’s not and instead it means getting buggered sideways by spoilers and the like. I’d also like to add that I don’t see downloading illegally as an alternative to buying DVDs as I’m all for studios, actors, writers, directors and craft services getting their fair due.

As it stands now it’s just a pretty flawed and imperfect system that’s been restricted by laws created prior to the internet’s dominance.

By: DQ

DQ — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:28:45 +0000

The issue is International Copyrights (at least, that’s why the BBC just told me that as an American, I’m not allowed to watch the latest episode of “Jam and Jerusalem” on BBCiplayer) — long story short, it takes awhile to sort out who has the right to distribute a show internationally and to get distribution going.

This is true for ANYONE, ANYWHERE who wants to see a show made in a country different from the one they live in. Outsiders have to wait.

And it won’t changed until International Copyright and Distribution laws get a major overhaul. That’s going to be difficult–but that’s the thing you have to push for if you want things to change. Networks all over the world are very well aware of the piracy issue, but their hands are tied legally for the moment. However, they also know this means loss of profit for them, so I would not be surprised if they themselves will work to find a way to get around it. Indeed, Internet distribution should make things easier. Someday, hopefully, you’ll get to start watching Hulu, hopefully right around the time I get to start watching shows on BBCi.

By: IrrationaliTV

IrrationaliTV — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 15:19:58 +0000

Season 2 of Dollhouse will be shown much more quickly after the US airdate this fall and Hulu is coming to UK this fall. How do this change your argument?

Everyone should really keep in mind that US network shows are subsidized by iTunes and DVD sales. As the sales of those formats fall because free is much cheaper, cult genre shows will have a harder time showing viability and will be canceled quicker and more often than they already are. Or really, not made at all. Studios judge the viability of DVD sales based on ratings. Piracy hurts. It hurts the studios, the creators, and ultimately the fans of quality niche shows.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:45:11 +0000

Agree 100% with the article and have a point about value for product. I have downloaded things which were marketed to tempt and set expectations high and yet were lacking in every department. Cloverfield. I have been to the cinema and felt dirty not because of the sticky floor but because “Crystal Skull” got stuck in my craw. I have a right to know that the product is actually worth it. Living in the UK, I wanted to watch Firefly. At the time no UK station wanted a 13 episode show. I downloaded it because I had no other option other than forking out for the DVD. The show was good enough that I ran screaming to the store and demanded they get the DVD, everyone in the store was terrified, thought I had just escaped from somewhere. AND THEY WERE RIGHT. I had escaped the shackles of dodgy marketing and films made with the sole purpose of cashing in on a franchise or that had no soul, no thought and no artistic direction.

By: Taz

Taz — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:15:56 +0000

Let me begin by saying I’m a total quality nut. I recently tried the MSN Video player service but in the real world I see in HD (when my glasses prescription is up-to-date) [though when it's not it's blurry] not in big blocky pixels.
Not only do I want TV shows shown within days of The States, but I want them to be shown in high quality. I cannot watch 4oD or the itv player the quality of the streaming video is so bad - once I’ve missed the show I have no choice but to seek out the ‘other’ online version.
So, I get very high quality video, within a day of it premièring on it’s American TV channel. Until my TV can match that - or I’ve had to change my ISP so many times because of being cut off that I’ve run out of people willing to supply internet - then I’ll go back to my Sky+ box. (Won’t be without that convenience of choosing when I watch.)

By: Nicolas

Nicolas — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 11:53:18 +0000

With films and music this problem does not arise. Release dates are roughly the same
In the English-speaking world, maybe. But if you live in a country like Germany where for some reason every film is dubbed, you often have to wait months for a film to finally be released here as well, and you have to be lucky to find a cinema showing it in the original language instead of the dubbed version. Even worse with TV, you often have to wait for roughly a year for something to be aired here, and you don’t even have to bother looking for an undubbed version until the DVD comes out.