I've been noticing that there is a media blitz going on, both literally and figuratively, about downloadable tv shows. TV podcasts, if you will. I just want to say, for the record, that I could not be more excited. My friend told me the other day that a kid he knows got a blog site to pay him to keep a blog...something like 35 cents per site. Maybe I should get in touch with them and start saving up for my new video ipod.
But seriously, having television broadcasts (specifically of the entertainment type) at my fingertips is a dream come true. I remember when I was 8 years old, all I wanted was a handheld television. For some reason, portable entertainment seemed like the most amazing thing. EVER. Apparently I haven't changed much. I never got that handheld TV, but let's face it, those things were crappy - they only got 4 channels, and you probably had to stand in an awkward and uncomfortable position in order to receive a good picture. At least that's what I've been telling myself in consolation all these years.
When On-Demand cable came along, I thought that it couldn't get any better. I had reruns of my favorite shows, whenever I wanted them, all included in the price of digital cable. Amazing. However, being the television addict and nostalgia buff that I am, I could see that On-Demand could use some tweaking...or maybe just some more programming options. I know I'm not alone when I say that I would watch hours of television sitcoms from my childhood if they were available. I'm talking Clarissa Explains it All, Pee Wee's Playhouse, etc., for all of you twenty-somethings out there. The thirty-somethings have their wonderful 80s sitcoms creeping their way into mainstream syndication, and beyond that there is Nick at Nite (this is not an insult, I don't discriminate against TV, I like Nick at Nite).
What I'm getting at here is that while companies like NBC are attempting to make more and more money from striking download distribution deals with Apple, people like me are going to reap the non-monetary benefits. I know it's a marketing move on both of their parts, but I'm ok with that. If networks are ready to open their vaults to pull out shows that I miss and love, then I'll be ready and waiting with my video ipod (...someday...*sigh*).![]()
But seriously, having television broadcasts (specifically of the entertainment type) at my fingertips is a dream come true. I remember when I was 8 years old, all I wanted was a handheld television. For some reason, portable entertainment seemed like the most amazing thing. EVER. Apparently I haven't changed much. I never got that handheld TV, but let's face it, those things were crappy - they only got 4 channels, and you probably had to stand in an awkward and uncomfortable position in order to receive a good picture. At least that's what I've been telling myself in consolation all these years.
When On-Demand cable came along, I thought that it couldn't get any better. I had reruns of my favorite shows, whenever I wanted them, all included in the price of digital cable. Amazing. However, being the television addict and nostalgia buff that I am, I could see that On-Demand could use some tweaking...or maybe just some more programming options. I know I'm not alone when I say that I would watch hours of television sitcoms from my childhood if they were available. I'm talking Clarissa Explains it All, Pee Wee's Playhouse, etc., for all of you twenty-somethings out there. The thirty-somethings have their wonderful 80s sitcoms creeping their way into mainstream syndication, and beyond that there is Nick at Nite (this is not an insult, I don't discriminate against TV, I like Nick at Nite).
What I'm getting at here is that while companies like NBC are attempting to make more and more money from striking download distribution deals with Apple, people like me are going to reap the non-monetary benefits. I know it's a marketing move on both of their parts, but I'm ok with that. If networks are ready to open their vaults to pull out shows that I miss and love, then I'll be ready and waiting with my video ipod (...someday...*sigh*).
