Impatient TV viewers turn to BitTorrent

Some Australians are turning to peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing networks for new episodes of their favourite American television shows.

According to an independent study conducted by Alex Malik, a former general counsel for the Australian Recording Industry Association, the popularity of one P2P application -- BitTorrent -- in Australia is driven in part by local television networks which "have adopted a strategy of being slow to air current episodes of popular TV shows".

Malik believes that by delaying the broadcast of these programmes, Australian TV programmers have increased the domestic demand for the shows. "As a result, impatient viewers have increasingly turned to BitTorrent to download their favourite shows," he said.

Malik told ZDNet Australia  that online forums dedicated to discussions about popular TV shows revealed that one in three of the conversations touches on where and how to pirate TV programmes on the Web. He said although it was hard to quantify the number of people illegally downloading shows through BitTorrent, there was a "substantial" number of people doing it.

"It's difficult to put a number on it because not a lot of people talk about [online pirating] especially since it's illegal. It's similar to illegal music file sharing ... not a lot of people admit to it but there is a substantial amount happening," he said.

Malik's research showed that Australians have to wait an average of eight months to see first-run episodes of popular programmes from overseas. For instance, it takes an average of four months to watch the latest episodes of top-rated shows like Lost and Desperate Housewives, currently being aired in Channel Seven.

Malik said local networks also delayed the telecast of top programmes during summer [in Australia] so as "not to waste successful programs" during the unofficial non-ratings period.

"These delays provide a window of opportunity for viewers to upload TV programmes after their American broadcast date, thereby making them available to viewers outside of the US, and viewers within the US who may have missed the program.

"In order to download these shows, all consumers require is a broadband connection and BitTorrent software. While download quality is variable, and depending on its source, BitTorrent users have found the quality to be satisfactory," the report said.

"While there are no accurate Australian BitTorrent usage figures, anecdotal evidence and reports from online forums suggest that Australians are downloading TV programmes in large quantities. Australians are also uploading programs like My Restaurant Rules and Rove," he added.

A previous survey released by Web monitoring company Envisional found Australia as the second largest downloader of online pirated TV programmes in the world (15.6 percent), second to the United Kingdom (18.5 percent) and ahead of the US (7.3 percent).

The report said that increased bandwidth, technological advances and a high demand of US-based TV shows are some of the reasons for the boom in online piracy. It also said that around 70 percent of the piracy occurs through BitTorrent.

A spokesperson from Channel Nine told ZDNet Australia  that "the major reason other countries around the world -- apart from the US -- are downloading [TV] series from the Internet is because the shows are US-based and are often seen many months after the original airdate".

Ben Coppin, chief operating officer at Envisional previously said in a statement that the number of people turning to piracy to satisfy their TV demands will only increase.

"If TV companies were to offer episodes for download at a small cost at the same time as they air offline they could generate revenue in the same way that Apple’s iTunes does. However, they must be aware of the dangers of losing their core audience to a delivery method that is free, unregulated and open to anyone with an internet connection," Coppin said.

Malik said unless the TV networks devote immediate attention to the problem of unnecessary delays, "the television industry is doomed to repeat the mistakes of the music industry".

FreeTV and other networks have not responded despite repeated queries.

Recently, there has been an effort to clamp down on the use of BitTorrent technology to aid copyright infringement. The recording industry's first scalp was Perth-based Internet service provider Swiftel.

In March, the Music Industry Piracy Investigations Unit took the ISP to court. The hearing will resume on April 7.

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Talkback 74 comments

  1. Specifically, TV companies (like Channel 10) are hurting themselves by: 1) Delaying the broadcast of programmes later than advertised time (especially Channel 10 with Crudfactor etc.) 2) Showing a few new episodes for 3 or 4 weeks and then Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    Specifically, TV companies (like Channel 10) are hurting themselves by:

    1) Delaying the broadcast of programmes later than advertised time (especially Channel 10 with Crudfactor etc.)
    2) Showing a few new episodes for 3 or 4 weeks and then substituting with repeat episodes at the same time.
    3) Showing episodes out of order.

  2. I don't think there's much on tv worth watching any more to justify all the time and effort involved in trying to download any shows. I would rather rent a DVD if I ever get enough time to sit still for long enough to watch something. My tv entertainmen Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    I don't think there's much on tv worth watching any more to justify all the time and effort involved in trying to download any shows. I would rather rent a DVD if I ever get enough time to sit still for long enough to watch something. My tv entertainment now days seems to be reading and replying to email and going to Ebay on line.

  3. It is very true, while i am a technically savvy person and so are my friends, I know many people who are downloading american television shows just after they show in the US. And then, once they become available on DVD, they buy them. It's not t Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    It is very true, while i am a technically savvy person and so are my friends, I know many people who are downloading american television shows just after they show in the US. And then, once they become available on DVD, they buy them.

    It's not that most people are trying to get the programs for free, they just want to be able to watch them and talk about them at the same time as the US.

    iTunes for television programs would be an Excellent idea. $5 episodes would be great.

  4. I agree with the first comment - the Australian commercial TV networks shoot themselves in the foot by the cavalier way they treat their audiences of series, particularly SciFi series. It is common for episodes to be shown out of order, episodes postponed Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    I agree with the first comment - the Australian commercial TV networks shoot themselves in the foot by the cavalier way they treat their audiences of series, particularly SciFi series. It is common for episodes to be shown out of order, episodes postponed for several weeks, sometimes for special sports events, but also sometimes for no apparent reason.

    I am completely sick of being treated like this and have vitually stopped watching series on commercial TV. Instead I have started buying my favourite shows on DVD, either locally or from Amazon.com. Now I can watch them in the right order, when I want to and without being constantly interupted by mind-numbingly stupid advertisements.

  5. The media have a lot to learn about the psychology of their most avid viewers. The clumsy manipulations exemplified by DVD Zoning (a farce) and delayed broadcast schedules are counter-productive. When will the meida moguls learn the lessons that Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    The media have a lot to learn about the psychology of their most avid viewers. The clumsy manipulations exemplified by DVD Zoning (a farce) and delayed broadcast schedules are counter-productive.

    When will the meida moguls learn the lessons that software vendors learnt in the 90s that unnecessary and disruptive protection policies don't work and alienate consumers.

  6. I don't watch much TV, but when I do it's shows like Lost or Battlestar. I was going to watch them on TV but both 7 and 10 have lost me. 10 always runs that stupid resturant show overtime, delays an episode due to a stuff up, then moves it to 10.30 a Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    I don't watch much TV, but when I do it's shows like Lost or Battlestar. I was going to watch them on TV but both 7 and 10 have lost me.
    10 always runs that stupid resturant show overtime, delays an episode due to a stuff up, then moves it to 10.30 at night. So they lost me.
    7 have put off showing lost 2 weeks in a row and it is also months behind the US. Another show i'm not watching on TV.

  7. BT is great Can get NCIS, Enterprise, Scrubs, All the Law And Orders including Trail By Jury, Lost, Joey, Cold Case, all the CSI's, JAG, Battlestar Galatica, Stargate, OC months before they air in Australia. Ive seen Desprate Housewife Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    BT is great

    Can get NCIS, Enterprise, Scrubs, All the Law And Orders including Trail By Jury, Lost, Joey, Cold Case, all the CSI's, JAG, Battlestar Galatica, Stargate, OC months before they air in Australia.

    Ive seen Desprate Housewifes all Battlestar Gatlatica Season 1 and SG1 Season 8 and Atlantis Season 1.

    I hear people at tafe saying did u see Depsrate Houswifes last night. And i go yeah saw it months ago.

    Its easiser to download shows. All HDTV and no Ads. Its great

  8. In particular with shows like Stargate SG-1/enterprise where the local tv stations don't show episodes in order/jump from one series to another or keep changing the time. I can actually watch them in the order they are supposed to appear in - wi Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    In particular with shows like Stargate SG-1/enterprise where the local tv stations don't show episodes in order/jump from one series to another or keep changing the time.

    I can actually watch them in the order they are supposed to appear in - without ads and in hdtv format.

  9. Hit the nail on the head, it's absolutely stupid that Australians should have to wait so long to get shows that everyone gets as the're released. For example Jeremiah (Tues & Thurs Ch9 12:30) was first shown in the US in 2002, it was shown he Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    Hit the nail on the head,
    it's absolutely stupid that Australians should have to wait so long to get shows that everyone gets as the're released. For example Jeremiah (Tues & Thurs Ch9 12:30) was first shown in the US in 2002, it was shown here season 1 in 2005. (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0290966/) <- the show
    (http://www.jeremiah.tv/episodes.html) ,- official site)
    3 years difference is crazy and would motivate an aweful lot of people.

    And THEN, they increased the screenings (without advertising) from Thursday to Tuesday as well, I missed an episode. I would gladly pay to get a video/DVD of the missed ep including ads, but not a chance in hell of that happening.

    What about Aus shows that will never come out on DVD eg. My restaurant rules, it wouldn't be too hard to chuck it up on bit torrent for people who had missed it, a day after the show has aired (including the ads). My girlfriend missed an epsisode and now has no clue where the american maitre de of the Brisbane restaurant has gone..

    TV stations, take note lest your viewers vote witht there feet.

    Anonymous

    1. jerimiah Anonymous -- 15/12/05

      waiting for the second series to begin but cannot remember the TV station who ran the first series. because I will be more than happy to contact them on a daily basis

  10. we DL Simpsons the day it comes out in US through BT or DC++ as Australia is about a year behind, also DL alot of other shows months before there on TV here, why wait? Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    we DL Simpsons the day it comes out in US through BT or DC++ as Australia is about a year behind, also DL alot of other shows months before there on TV here, why wait?

  11. there is something you are all forgetting. Aus TV cuts things out of aus aired shows. ie, I was downloading smallville from the us. When it was released here, they cut out approx 5 minutes from the show, and these were important scenes. They also did i Anonymous -- 04/04/05

    there is something you are all forgetting. Aus TV cuts things out of aus aired shows. ie, I was downloading smallville from the us. When it was released here, they cut out approx 5 minutes from the show, and these were important scenes. They also did it in other episodes. There was no reason why, except, for more TV adds. The scenes were not graphic in any way. I have also noticed it with other shows as well, sometimes its not as important as others. But, it is all part of the story - a story which we are not getting. No wonder people lose interest when all these shows are not making any sense.

    1. TV channels cutting shows Anonymous -- 09/12/05

      When the Soprano's was eventually broadcast (intermittantly) in Australia each episode only ran about 53-54 minutes jammed packed with advertisements.

      When viewing the series on DVD each episode ran the same length 53-54 minutes without ads.

      This is a regukar occurrance with all shows when they are broadcast a year or 2 after their original dates overseas.

      It seems that the TV channels want viewers to look elsewhere rather than watch them on FTA.

    2. Too True Anonymous -- 11/04/06

      Too true, I have watched episodes of a series that no longer makes sense because of deleted scenes that are replaced with ads.

  12. I believe the networks have mainly themselves to blame. They just don't get it that the world through the net is much closer to each other than ever before. So many times people have told me about a great movie or series and gained my interest. Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    I believe the networks have mainly themselves to blame.

    They just don't get it that the world through the net is much closer to each other than ever before. So many times people have told me about a great movie or series and gained my interest. Lo and behold the movie of which they speak hasn't even shown here, but is already on dvd overseas, so I buy it. Money they could have made here. Here about a good series. Not only are they into third series over there, but the full first season is available on dvd, so once again I buy it. Go over to a mates place and that series is being hawked as a premiere viewing on Foxtel. Not even on free-to-air TV and they're still 2 years behind and no dvds. So the networks better realise we're findind out about these shows as they are shown overseas. No use trying to make money out of them now that the horse has bolted and overseas has made the money they could have.

  13. Demonise it all you like, people are only doing this because of the utterly cynical and contemptuous attitude of the Australian TV industry. For too long we've put up with their tactics of drip-feeding us popular shows, cramming them chock-full of ads, ru Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Demonise it all you like, people are only doing this because of the utterly cynical and contemptuous attitude of the Australian TV industry. For too long we've put up with their tactics of drip-feeding us popular shows, cramming them chock-full of ads, running over scheduled time, promoting other garbage over the top etc etc. Well we choose not to play this game any more 7, 9 and 10. And when your business models have totally collapsed in 5-10 years time, you'll only have yourselves to blame.

  14. if countries like ours receive shows many months later after U.S. release then i beleive we should be allowed to dl them, why should tv stations decide when we want to watch shows like C.S.I, 24 etc.. and on the other note, i think its a great Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    if countries like ours receive shows many months later after U.S. release then i beleive we should be allowed to dl them, why should tv stations decide when we want to watch shows like C.S.I, 24 etc..

    and on the other note, i think its a great idea that shows should be available for download legitamatly as they are aired, but of course at a fair price, i dont understand why they dont introduce a prepaid card system as they have for mobile phones, where you log into the stations website, enter the cards number and you get credited for downloads, a show shouldnt cost more then a couple bucks.

  15. Gee, and what they are only just working this out, the TV stations need to wake up and smell the 21st Century. Not only does one have to wait, even when the shows do hit the small screen they half start a season and then stop dead (can anyone say Ent Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Gee, and what they are only just working this out, the TV stations need to wake up and smell the 21st Century.
    Not only does one have to wait, even when the shows do hit the small screen they half start a season and then stop dead (can anyone say Enterprise or The West Wing).
    Then combine that with watermarks, banner ads, moving times and schedules and then they wonder why ppl just download, watch and then delete.

  16. Consumers nowadays are just impatient little people wanting it all now. TV stations in an effort to outdo each other are forgetting the viewers. You can hear the sounds of TV screens switching off over the nation as many turn to what we call "Chann Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Consumers nowadays are just impatient little people wanting it all now. TV stations in an effort to outdo each other are forgetting the viewers. You can hear the sounds of TV screens switching off over the nation as many turn to what we call "Channel BT". TV stations - if you don't satiate that impatient appetite, someone else will and they will do it over the internet.

    Wait until we have live streaming of US TV over broadband. That will kill free to air Aussie channels. All they will have left to pander is news and local TV dramas.

  17. Although I'm not a BitTorrent user I can fully understand the frustration viewers are having with FTA broadcasts. The concept of scheduling programs and sticking to it has died. Networks make last minute scheduling changes, pay no heed to the se Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Although I'm not a BitTorrent user I can fully understand the frustration viewers are having with FTA broadcasts.

    The concept of scheduling programs and sticking to it has died. Networks make last minute scheduling changes, pay no heed to the sequencing of episodes, mix episodes from different series, and severley edit programs so as to fit more advertisement in.

    FTA networks need to realise that all these high ratings programs lose values when you chop them up, mix them up, and randomly change the schedule. Predictable ratings are lost because viewers get disillusioned and then seek alternative methods to view their favorite programs.

  18. When I started downloading shows before they where aired, I did think that it was not fair to the TV channels, but after doing a few I found the broadcasted shows where missing parts. Adding that to delays, out of order, missing or otherwise in Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    When I started downloading shows before they where aired, I did think that it was not fair to the TV channels, but after doing a few I found the broadcasted shows where missing parts.

    Adding that to delays, out of order, missing or otherwise inconsistant broadcasting of the shows I like, I no longer care that much about doing it.

    As to the ads, due to my need for sleep (with the useless ability to stick to a starting time), I have been skipping ads in free to air for the last several years (tape and fast forward).

    For older shows/series that are just starting here in Australia, most can be purchased on DVD from the US or Canada cheaper and delivered faster than even downloading them.

    There is also the issues of shows that are shown on 10 not ever getting broadcasted in my regional area (do not receive 10), even tho we still get the ads for them, but that is another issue again.

  19. Couldn't agree more. The constant schedule changes, on one week gone the next, missing episodes and sometimes even cutting the stuffing out of the show just to fit in adds really angers me and pay TV is just as bad. You'd think that paying for a service w Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Couldn't agree more. The constant schedule changes, on one week gone the next, missing episodes and sometimes even cutting the stuffing out of the show just to fit in adds really angers me and pay TV is just as bad. You'd think that paying for a service would provide you with the latest content earlier than on free to air TV but in this country that is not the case.

  20. I can import the ENTIRE season of CSI before the season is halfway through here in Australia. We're sick and tired of the Aussie lack luster. I'd support downloading provided it was cheap enough. Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    I can import the ENTIRE season of CSI before the season is halfway through here in Australia.
    We're sick and tired of the Aussie lack luster.
    I'd support downloading provided it was cheap enough.

  21. Exactly. I watch several shows just days after they have aired in the US; Lost being one of those shows. The airing policies of the networks, and easy availability of these shows via BitTorrent, make it a compelling alternative. Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Exactly. I watch several shows just days after they have aired in the US; Lost being one of those shows. The airing policies of the networks, and easy availability of these shows via BitTorrent, make it a compelling alternative.

  22. I had to weigh the cost of a sky tv subscription with a broadband connection, broadband won. Fresher shows, Ad's already removed, and in the correct widescreen ration since NZ TV cant get its **** into gear with going digital. Torrent wins hands Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    I had to weigh the cost of a sky tv subscription with a broadband connection, broadband won.

    Fresher shows, Ad's already removed, and in the correct widescreen ration since NZ TV cant get its **** into gear with going digital. Torrent wins hands down.

    if normal TV was a week behind, I might make an allowance for it, but in this age of internet, theres no reason they cant download it to show it on TV the day it shows in the states.

  23. Its not just the availability, its the quality of the shows posted as well. The shows are usually posted in High definition (and some in greater then high definition formats (1440*900)) and are always recorded off a TiVo or like device so there are no ads Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Its not just the availability, its the quality of the shows posted as well. The shows are usually posted in High definition (and some in greater then high definition formats (1440*900)) and are always recorded off a TiVo or like device so there are no ads.

    The tv industry in Australia is a joke, it is not even trying any more to satisfy what consumers want.

  24. Australian TV SUXS! There is nothing to watch. So many repeats! All crap. I hope the Court decides Bittorrent as legal THAT WAY THE TV NETWORKS WILL GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Australian TV SUXS!

    There is nothing to watch. So many repeats! All crap.

    I hope the Court decides Bittorrent as legal THAT WAY THE TV NETWORKS WILL GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER

  25. When it comes to great shows such as Top Gear (BBC) we can either watch the BitTorrent version, or simply miss out. This show and many more are not offered by any of the Australian free-to-air channels. Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    When it comes to great shows such as Top Gear (BBC) we can either watch the BitTorrent version, or simply miss out. This show and many more are not offered by any of the Australian free-to-air channels.

  26. Bittorent should be legal anyway... its just like http, or ftp and was designed with the intention of reducing the bandwidth needs for websites with legitamate downloads. Just because its most common use is for illegal downloads doesn't make bittorrent b Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Bittorent should be legal anyway... its just like http, or ftp and was designed with the intention of reducing the bandwidth needs for websites with legitamate downloads. Just because its most common use is for illegal downloads doesn't make bittorrent bad it just makes the sites that are hosting the trackers illegal.

  27. Bittorent should be legal anyway... its just like http, or ftp and was designed with the intention of reducing the bandwidth needs for websites with legitamate downloads. Just because its most common use is for illegal downloads doesn't make bittorrent b Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Bittorent should be legal anyway... its just like http, or ftp and was designed with the intention of reducing the bandwidth needs for websites with legitamate downloads. Just because its most common use is for illegal downloads doesn't make bittorrent bad it just makes the sites that are hosting the trackers illegal.

  28. I also make use of BT to download and watch TV shows. Like most people, I get frustrated with the FTA stations: - lengthy (months-years) delays in showing series - cutting scenes for more commercials - airing episodes out of order Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    I also make use of BT to download and watch TV shows. Like most people, I get frustrated with the FTA stations:

    - lengthy (months-years) delays in showing series
    - cutting scenes for more commercials
    - airing episodes out of order
    - constantly changing showing times and dates
    - stopping series after 2-3 episodes

    If a tv series is on DVD (either locally or internationally), I buy it (better quality + extras that you don't get from downloads).

    It should fall under "Fair Use" (at least for series/episodes that have aired locally) as you could just as easily record shows aired locally onto my computer and cut out the ads (much like a vcr with editing) rather than download them.

    Australian courts ruled that multi-region DVD players are legal as citizens should not be limited to DVDs available in this country alone. Why should citizens be limited to watching TV shows as the FTA stations dictate?

  29. Besides shows coming out so much later then overseas, there is just so many tv shows that are overseas that don't get played here or get played for a few episodes and get replaced by some stupid reality show. Of the 17 shows I watch regularly only 5 of th Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Besides shows coming out so much later then overseas, there is just so many tv shows that are overseas that don't get played here or get played for a few episodes and get replaced by some stupid reality show. Of the 17 shows I watch regularly only 5 of them are even shown here, and those ones are at least half a season behind, some of them are multiple seasons behind.

  30. Why do download of Bit Torrent sites ? Well if I start watching a a TV show at 8:30 or 9:30 when it suddenly starts airing at 11:00 then 2:00, doesnt run in sequnce, only runs half the season, is on a diffrent day each week sometimes 3 times a Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Why do download of Bit Torrent sites ?

    Well if I start watching a a TV show at 8:30 or 9:30 when it suddenly starts airing at 11:00 then 2:00, doesnt run in sequnce, only runs half the season, is on a diffrent day each week sometimes 3 times a week then once a week or is replace with more "Unreality TV" Why would I even want to watch it on TV then.

    I can download every episode in order I can watch them all in decent quality not fuzzy blury 80's VCR tech I don't have to spend hundreds on DVD recorder.

    TV staions need to give there consumers what they want. If they can't they need to fall like every other industry that refuses to evole and meet consumer demands. And a new industries that can deliver shouldn't be outlawed.

    Bit Torrent is only a protocol used to transmit files and save bandwidth.And can be used Legally and Ilegally just like anything else on the internet. And just like VCR's can be (all the hype about the end of TV and Cinemas from 80's) people still watch TV people still go to the Cinema and now have the choose of hiring or buying a movie (and more recently episodes of TV Shows)to watch at home. The industry adapted to the VCR ( and it successor DVD tech) and profited from it. peer to peer networks mp3 Divx Xvid are exactlly the same.
    An opportunity to make money and not be complacent and force consumers to only have one option. By outlawing the anything else because the industry is to complacent to capitalize on new technolgy.

  31. I usually download all the shows i REALLY like. It puts them on at a time of MY choosing. And not when they air. I can watch them in order. And the quality is better than TV. Along with having no commecials. Pausing. And being able to archive really g Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    I usually download all the shows i REALLY like. It puts them on at a time of MY choosing. And not when they air. I can watch them in order. And the quality is better than TV. Along with having no commecials. Pausing. And being able to archive really good shows if i ever want to watch them again.

    And theres 3 shows that right as they come out here in the usa. I get on the net and p**** the links along to several australian and uk friends online. I KNOW they want them. And it lets us discuss shows we all like without having to wait a year for their countrys to show them on tv.

    Right now i'd be willing to pay a NOMINAL fee. Say 1 to 2 dollars per episode. But they will try sticking it in ****ty formats... quicktime. wmv. real. And im sure they will try their digital rights management crap too. In that case. I'm still going to pirate the quality hdtv copies that will always exist.

    Either do it how WE want. Or dont bother. You'll only waste money and time. And **** people off.

  32. Look, The reality is that two of my favourite shows in the last year were Scrubs and Arrested Development which Channel 7 played at 11:00pm to 12:00 intermitantly on Tues and Thurs before cutting them from the TV with 6 episodes of each to go. Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    Look,

    The reality is that two of my favourite shows in the last year were Scrubs and Arrested Development which Channel 7 played at 11:00pm to 12:00 intermitantly on Tues and Thurs before cutting them from the TV with 6 episodes of each to go. Channel 7 can get stuffed. In fact all the free 2 air networks in australia are contemptous of their viewers. I think if the american networks uploaded all of their product after screening in the US and allowed cheap downloads then I could quite happily switch of Packer and Stokes for ever!!

  33. pi·rate n. 1. One who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without commission from a sovereign nation. 2. A ship used for this purpose. 2. One who preys on others; a plunderer. 3. One who makes use Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    pi·rate
    n.

    1. One who robs at sea or plunders the land from the sea without commission from a sovereign nation.
    2. A ship used for this purpose.
    2. One who preys on others; a plunderer.
    3. One who makes use of or reproduces the work of another without authorization.
    4. One that operates an unlicensed, illegal television or radio station.

    Look at 3. The TV show is broadcast (look it up yourself) sent freely over the airwaves. Once you have relinquished control on something - broadcast - how can you compare someone who continues to broadcast for free (that is what P2P is) to a plunderer?

    For me a pirate is in it for the money. If you earn money by continuing to broadcast you fall into 2 and 4 above.

  34. The largest problem I find with Australian Tv is the network emphasis on reality or lifestyle shows. Other shows seem to be scheduled around these shows. Charmed was taken off to make way for x-factor. Stargate, enterprise BSG and other shows t Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    The largest problem I find with Australian Tv is the network emphasis on reality or lifestyle shows. Other shows seem to be scheduled around these shows.

    Charmed was taken off to make way for x-factor. Stargate, enterprise BSG and other shows that popular to download are shown in drabs, usually 4 episodes on and 3 months off air or are so far behind. Then you have shows that aren't even shown in Australia like Andromeda and others.

    It wouldn't be so bad if these shows were taken off to be replaced with quality programming, but unfortunately this is not the case. Instead networks are showing the cheapest show available while maintaining "rights" to show the more expensive imported shows by airing minimum episodes they need to.

  35. There are many reasons the CUSTOMER is turning to downloading from the Net: enormous delays before airing in Australia, inconsistent and ridiculously late scheduling, capricious mid-season cancellations, ever longer ad-breaks, on-screen cross-promotional Anonymous -- 05/04/05

    There are many reasons the CUSTOMER is turning to downloading from the Net: enormous delays before airing in Australia, inconsistent and ridiculously late scheduling, capricious mid-season cancellations, ever longer ad-breaks, on-screen cross-promotional distractions...etc.

    Just show us the damn program in an appropriate manner and time and we'll watch. Or we'll choose the better option, which is downloading from the Net (not only via BT btw.).

  36. It's not just happening in Oz -- it's happening here in the States, too. Do you think American "Doctor Who" fans are going to wait for a US network to pick it up to watch it? In the 1980's, when our PBS was still airing Tom Baker episodes ad in Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    It's not just happening in Oz -- it's happening here in the States, too. Do you think American "Doctor Who" fans are going to wait for a US network to pick it up to watch it? In the 1980's, when our PBS was still airing Tom Baker episodes ad infinitum, I was one of many fans who gathered at a local university to watch copies of Colin Baker episodes of "Who" that someone had filmed with an NTSC camcorder pointed at a PAL TV over in the UK -- a mere two weeks after they'd aired on BBC1.

  37. Hopefully the television stations will read these talkbacks. Australian television is slowly but surely emulating all the worst parts of American television - banner commercials during broadcast times, split screen end credits, animated channel icons, ina Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    Hopefully the television stations will read these talkbacks. Australian television is slowly but surely emulating all the worst parts of American television - banner commercials during broadcast times, split screen end credits, animated channel icons, inaccurate screening times and other advertisements - hello, Channel 7! Treat the viewers with a little respect and they'll keep watching your shows; continue with the contempt and we'll look elsewhere.

    And if you've got an Easter non-ratings period, suck it up and keep your shows going, or at least tell the viewing audience why they can't see their favourite shows!

  38. This article is at least 5 years too late Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    This article is at least 5 years too late

  39. I'm an "otaku" (Anime fan). Hardly any of the Anime worth watching makes it to TV in Australia, (generally only stuff whose target audience is small boys is screened)and as much as I would love to buy all my favourite series from an Aussie dist Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    I'm an "otaku" (Anime fan). Hardly any of the Anime worth watching makes it to TV in Australia, (generally only stuff whose target audience is small boys is screened)and as much as I would love to buy all my favourite series from an Aussie distributor - the cost is prohibitive. In addition, commercially produced english subtitles are generally inferior to the "Fansubs", and english (American) voice-overs frequently lose the distinctive Japanese dramatic interpretation.

  40. When you look at the popularity of shows like The O.C. though across so many age brackets, it's no wonder. This is a show that, here in Australia, you can be down at a pub on Tuesday nights and everyone there will be glued to it! There's a large number Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    When you look at the popularity of shows like The O.C. though across so many age brackets, it's no wonder. This is a show that, here in Australia, you can be down at a pub on Tuesday nights and everyone there will be glued to it! There's a large number of people don't want to wait months to catch up though.

    It's always been a problem here. Nine only showed the final episode of Voyager a few months ago, which aired years ago; series like The West Wing are currently only mid way through season five.
    The only seasons that are ever days behind are ones like Survivor or American Idol (which doesn' have a huge following here anyway), where they get spoilt in the news quickly.

    Many people I've talked to would be all in favour of paying a small fee to download episodes as they happen. However, we say 'small' as a customer and mean maybe AUD3.95/episode *at most*. The TV networks, no doubt, will say something ridiculous like AUD8.95, and then they'll scream when it doesn't take off.

  41. Let's see... 20 Minutes of commercials per hour, adhoc reschedule of episodes, out of order episodes, cancellation of series, and a wait of months or years for a show to air. Go you Torrent good thing. If the service wa Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    Let's see...
    20 Minutes of commercials per hour,
    adhoc reschedule of episodes,
    out of order episodes,
    cancellation of series,
    and a wait of months or years for a show to air.

    Go you Torrent good thing. If the service was up to scratch then people would tune in. The networks have made the market by their poor performance and now are crying poor. Call it a competitive market place

  42. welcome to 2001. old news, new hype, late panic about copyright and royalties going amiss as the consumers exercise something called demand, without it being marketed, advertised, sold or peddled by a market that fears change. of course, 4 years Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    welcome to 2001. old news, new hype, late panic about copyright and royalties going amiss as the consumers exercise something called demand, without it being marketed, advertised, sold or peddled by a market that fears change.

    of course, 4 years on, you would think the media mogul corporations would figure out a way to ensure some kind of royalty delivery from online content, but it seems they must be either ignoring the numbers of people (at the least, even for non scifi, 20,000) or the demand is being judged for later needs, and the introduction of token methods of circumspection, DRM and secured feeds to their original content.

    the problem is, the owners of this media can't contain or distribute broadcast media under their ownership, in alternate formats without rewriting their contracts to the original owners of the concepts, and that involves money and time.

    eventually, one or two new shows will be 'webisodes' and then the ball will really roll. i think a lot of people fear the postage stamp 'streaming' content, and its valid.

    the current technology is aimed towards distribution in mpeg4(xvid/divx/wmv9), it comes to between 100mb to 700mb depending on length, which is relatively easy to distribute online at the moment with broadband. if you try to offer the mpeg2 streams from HDTV, the size of a show will be approximately 8 to 10x larger, with an episode becoming 5gb for 45 minutes, how does one charge adequately for that amount of traffic online ?

  43. Ruining Battlestar Galactica. If Ten didn't run Everybody Loves fricking Raymond, when they say they're running Battlestar Galactica, then run the preview for next weeks Battlestar in the first ad break when it finally comes on later, and then fills half Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    Ruining Battlestar Galactica. If Ten didn't run Everybody Loves fricking Raymond, when they say they're running Battlestar Galactica, then run the preview for next weeks Battlestar in the first ad break when it finally comes on later, and then fills half the screen with distracting animated ads for fricking X Factor, and then shift the time slot to 10:30pm, then maybe they wouldn't have people so ****ed off that they resort to looking elsewhere for episodes...don't even get me started about how they ran Futurama out of sequence. I get the impression that they don't give a bee's dick about their viewers, and so my heart bleeds for them just like lost ad revenues. You can tell they care from their website too, just try finding a complaints/suggestions form -- even an e-mail address.

  44. LMAO! They reap what they sow. I'm just glad to see the backlash in these comments to this whole "TV piracy" angle _someone_ is trying to push on us. Like we have any choice?! I'll bet those smug tv executives get to watch these shows Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    LMAO! They reap what they sow.
    I'm just glad to see the backlash in these comments to this whole "TV piracy" angle _someone_ is trying to push on us. Like we have any choice?!
    I'll bet those smug tv executives get to watch these shows as soon as they get them, but somehow expect the rest of us to wait to be spoonfed (with a healthy side-order of spam). Pure contempt for the viewers is what they have shown, so it serves them right if we give up waiting for them to **** out our favourite shows on a cynical scattershot schedule.

  45. Its simple, when I can buy the shows at a reasonble price I will, just like I buy webbooks online from Baen. The reason's have already been stated nicely by above posts. FT TV doesn't meet what people want anymore. Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    Its simple, when I can buy the shows at a reasonble price I will, just like I buy webbooks online from Baen.
    The reason's have already been stated nicely by above posts. FT TV doesn't meet what people want anymore.

  46. This is FREE-TO-AIR television. Why should I be considered a pirate if I try to watch the same shows at the same price somewhere else? I wasn't paying for the shows in the first place, so who is losing money from me not watching it? Lets see the options s Anonymous -- 06/04/05

    This is FREE-TO-AIR television. Why should I be considered a pirate if I try to watch the same shows at the same price somewhere else? I wasn't paying for the shows in the first place, so who is losing money from me not watching it? Lets see the options shall we?

    Option 1: Wait what is quite possibly six months to several years to see a series in the wrong order at a constantly changing yet somehow always impractical time, miss out on scenes that have been cut to fit in ads, watch more ads, watch little animated banner ads, and did I mention the ads? Have the series cut short because there was a brand new reality show that everybody just had to see.

    Option 2: Go to a BitTorrent site and download a complete season in a few hours to a day or two, often within hours of the shows being aired in the US, usually in HDTV quality, with no restrictions on when and where I can play them or what I can copy them on.

    I'll let you take your pick.

    1. Who is losing money? Anonymous -- 22/01/07

      Anonymous,

      While I definitely think the TV industry could benefit from cleaning up their act, the asnwer to your question ("Who is losing money?") is quite simple... you even mentioned it in your post:

      "...watch more ads, watch little animated banner ads, and did I mention the ads?..."

      Most prime-time television uses adertisement (TV commercials, banners, and so on) as a form of revenue. By downloading commercial-free versions of the shows, you effectively circumvent this source of revenue.

      Now, what *would* probably work very well for the networks is posting high-quality, ad-supported versions of their shows on BitTorrent... this way they could take advantage of the free distribution network *and* keep viewers happy. Unfortunately, human nature is such that someone will probably strip the ads, repost the show, convince the networks that it isn't worth it, and ruin it for everyone else as a result. Sigh...

  47. There are US station not available in Canada(Sci-Fi channel Movies, USAm TNT). If I could pay, say $1 CND/episodes , I would get it at quality, 5.1, in HD(add $1) full download speed (faster than most BT) with no adds. I would be the first in line. Last y Anonymous -- 07/04/05

    There are US station not available in Canada(Sci-Fi channel Movies, USAm TNT). If I could pay, say $1 CND/episodes , I would get it at quality, 5.1, in HD(add $1) full download speed (faster than most BT) with no adds. I would be the first in line. Last year, I missed a episode of "24" because of a bad satellite reception just at the end of a critical point. I turned to Bittorent to get it. Also, what make's me mad, are TV shows film in Vancouver were shown 1-2 years later in Canada.
    Other Exemple: Stargate Atlantis began last summer on The Movie Network (I susbcribed and watch it) but Season 7 of Stargate SG1(BT) was not air until this september.

    Packaged deal: $15 per season could add revenu. Hardcord Fan would still buy the DVD+extra

  48. F*CK Rupert Murdoch, F*ck Kerry Packer, F*ck the monocultural pursuit of consumer dreams force fed via monopolist distribution systems. Let them cry boo hoo, nothing can stop market forces that bring a faster better product. Decentralise + Anonymous -- 07/04/05

    F*CK Rupert Murdoch, F*ck Kerry Packer, F*ck the monocultural pursuit of consumer dreams force fed via monopolist distribution systems.
    Let them cry boo hoo, nothing can stop market forces that bring a faster better product.

    Decentralise + Cellurise + Do It Yourself

  49. My VCR missed out on one episode of The O.C., being recorded for the better half who is normally working during that slot. Don't know what happened to it, normally the timing is perfect but oh well. To avoid a domestic disaster, I searched and Anonymous -- 07/04/05

    My VCR missed out on one episode of The O.C., being recorded for the better half who is normally working during that slot. Don't know what happened to it, normally the timing is perfect but oh well.

    To avoid a domestic disaster, I searched and found the said episode in HDTV quality. This was not the only one - the rest of the current series was already there. So I got the lot.

    Hooking up the PC to the HT via the AMD 9600XT coax out was a trivial affair and the quality was probably better than normal telly anyway.

    And best of all, no ads.

    Now I'm looking to download other series that I missed out on, such as Lost and Battlestar galactica. I would have bought the DVD, except that this is being delayed or sold out as "special" limited edition versions that are now grabbing a fortune on ebay.

    I will also try and locate series that got started but then dumped mid season, such as HACK - which I really liked.

    No ability to catch up on a lost episode, irregular scheduling and TONS of crap advertising is really making me turn to doing more torrents and not less.

    Digital content is the way to go, and the sooner the stations catch up to this the better. I'd gladly PAY for the ability to watch late night F1 episodes without those sleezy "personal SMS" services - or not to mention, directly streamed without the 3-4 hour delay that is currently being employed by RPMLIVE if the race happens to touch on the Sunday night prime time.

    I'd gladly pay for a subscription to this content, but as the providers are dragging their feet unable to reinvent themselves, trying to solve their problems in court and crying foul in the media, this is where the action is.

    If they think it is "bad" now, ADSL2 will be a real wake up call. The winners will be those that understand that today's tech savvy viewing audience are not patient enough to enjoy traditional distribution models.

    Now for a game of World of Warcraft or a round of online car racing in Live For Speed SP2. This is interactive entertainment directly competing with television.

  50. It's simple: Australian networks don't show what I want to watch... Science Fiction and plenty of it. When they do it's continually bumped around in various time slots or a substitution is made at the last minute for some sporting event etc. I've seen so Anonymous -- 07/04/05

    It's simple: Australian networks don't show what I want to watch... Science Fiction and plenty of it. When they do it's continually bumped around in various time slots or a substitution is made at the last minute for some sporting event etc. I've seen so many of the shows I enjoyed watching cancelled on local TV while still available OS.

    If something is to be shown then show it to it's conclusion within a reasonable period of time.

    I'm bored to death with reality shows and most of the other dross they now serve up.

    I now download all the TV shows that are of interest to me and I don't have to put up with: Ads, Program substitution, Out of sequence screening, Late nights or scratchy VHS recordings.

    The studios and networks need to get with the times and find a way to utilise the internet to distribute their product legally. Offer what the veiwer wants and when they want it.

    If a TV station can't maintain a quality of service befitting the loyalty veiwers invest in it then they will look elsewhere, and that's what has happened.

  51. CH9 didnt even show the end of ST episodes after being 2 years behind the seasons! Anonymous -- 08/04/05

    CH9 didnt even show the end of ST episodes after being 2 years behind the seasons!

  52. Now let me get this straight, no one benefits from downloading the compressed AVI's of TV series? how about the telephone companies (for ADSL medium), internet companies (supplying ADSL connections), the blank DVD's (which have part of the proceeds being Anonymous -- 09/04/05

    Now let me get this straight, no one benefits from downloading the compressed AVI's of TV series? how about the telephone companies (for ADSL medium), internet companies (supplying ADSL connections), the blank DVD's (which have part of the proceeds being paid into a slush fund to compensate for copied materials), all the technology we buy (and often needlessly upgrade) to download/burn/watch the DVD's, and any other accumulated expense you can think of. the money is still being spent (perhaps more), its just not the TV companies making it from loss of advertising (if indeed there is any loss at all – they are free to air and people still watch it).

    As for software, take China for example, if you took away all the software piracy, you'd have 90% reduction in hardware sales and there would still be no real increase in purchasing of legitimate software. I'm not legitimising piracy, merely pointing out there may in fact be increased spending because of it.

    Back to the subject, if the TV stations would bother to play items in order, and at a relative time to original release, the need to download would be reduced and they’d have little to complain about. Surely they are accountable for deliberately withholding material (i.e. buying the rights and not showing the material intentionally for a given period) to such an extent, they are also partially to blame for the precipitating of piracy. Bad business practice and screaming cause things aren’t going their way. Bittorrent is merely a new form of accountability. Commercial Stations, your audience is not happy and with good reason!

  53. When the TV networks start broadcasting more than 2 hours of repeat Simpsons and a couple hours of Everybody Loves Raymond 5 or 6 nights a week, then I'll consider tuning in again. Until then, I can download merrily away while I work and sleep, and w Anonymous -- 11/04/05

    When the TV networks start broadcasting more than 2 hours of repeat Simpsons and a couple hours of Everybody Loves Raymond 5 or 6 nights a week, then I'll consider tuning in again.
    Until then, I can download merrily away while I work and sleep, and watch the shows that I want to, when I want to, commercial free, with a pause button....
    I can also watch them in intended order, not come home one night to find out it's been axed or moved timeslot.
    And not be anywhere from a few months to a few seasons behind the US in what I'm getting to view - eg The Shield and Stargate SG1 to name just a couple.

  54. When the TV networks start broadcasting more than 2 hours of repeat Simpsons and a couple hours of Everybody Loves Raymond 5 or 6 nights a week, then I'll consider tuning in again. Until then, I can download merrily away while I work and sleep, and w Anonymous -- 11/04/05

    When the TV networks start broadcasting more than 2 hours of repeat Simpsons and a couple hours of Everybody Loves Raymond 5 or 6 nights a week, then I'll consider tuning in again.
    Until then, I can download merrily away while I work and sleep, and watch the shows that I want to, when I want to, commercial free, with a pause button....
    I can also watch them in intended order, not come home one night to find out it's been axed or moved timeslot.
    And not be anywhere from a few months to a few seasons behind the US in what I'm getting to view - eg The Shield and Stargate SG1 to name just a couple.

  55. Why should I wait for TV show to broadcast when I can just download it and watch it when ever I like. Sometimes I just dont have the time to watch when it being aired. What even better i can enjoy it without the commercial breaks. Anonymous -- 05/05/05

    Why should I wait for TV show to broadcast when I can just download it and watch it when ever I like. Sometimes I just dont have the time to watch when it being aired. What even better i can enjoy it without the commercial breaks.

  56. I am sick and tired of Channel 10 broadcasting programmes which can be aired up to half an hour after the advertised time. What particularly annoys me is that their programming is saturated with absolute garbage like Big Brother, Australian Icon which Anonymous -- 30/05/05

    I am sick and tired of Channel 10 broadcasting programmes which can be aired up to half an hour after the advertised time. What particularly annoys me is that their programming is saturated with absolute garbage like Big Brother, Australian Icon which are allowed to overrun into the advertised time for the following programme with no regard for the viewers who may tape Law & Order and find when viewing the tape that the taping is incomplete. I am wondering if the sponsors are aware that many people, like myself, turn off Channel 10 and therefore do not see the advertisements for the sponsors products. Perhaps a message to those sponsors may awaken them to what is happening.

  57. Television programmers are a bunch of baboons who think that people actually want to see more Big Brother, more Renovation Shows, and more local variants of American Idol/Popstars. Who does these ratings surveys? Do they give them an IQ test first so they Anonymous -- 19/07/05

    Television programmers are a bunch of baboons who think that people actually want to see more Big Brother, more Renovation Shows, and more local variants of American Idol/Popstars. Who does these ratings surveys? Do they give them an IQ test first so they can discount anyone with a double digit result? Quality scripted entertainment has a very low priority and fans of said quality entertainment can't be certain that their show will be picked up for subsequent seasons - better to download them while they can!! Case in point the West Wing. And Battlestar Galactica - which US TIME and NEWSWEEK called one of the best TV series in ages, but of course the Aussie press dutifully IGNORED. I actually thought Ten did an excellent job of promoting it on air, but it needed some print, goddamn it. Will we be getting season 2? I dunno. There appears to be no convenient way to contact Ten.

  58. Delays in airing popular TV series Anonymous -- 08/08/05

    there's no reason for ANY tv company to delay braodcasting any series, hell when babylon 5 was aired, the gap between the US airing and the UK dates was about 1 week at most, funny thing was because of delays by the US broardcasters the final episode got it's world premier in the uk lol.
    If companys delay the broadcast for whatever reason then yes people are going to get VERY impatant with waiting and download them, MESSAGE to any broadcaster round the world, you delay and you are going to lose, lose viewers and revenue, so ask yourselfs this is a delay worth what you will lose because you delayed?