NEWS Channel Five fancies itself as the iTunes of the TV world - the station has announced viewers will be able to download programme snippets for £1.50 each.
The UK's youngest button not depending on digital broadcasting is now selling online downloads of its motoring show Fifth Gear, which Five is promising are DVD quality.
Online petrolheads won't be able to download whole editions of the car show for the £1.50 price tag, just individual features from the series, including reviews of 'supercars' such as the Porsche 911, as well as the televised race between a Lamborghini Gallardo and a Ducati 999.
Five is also tapping m-commerce to entice younger wannabe Schumachers, with downloads available for purchase by mobile.
The channel picked 7 Digital to supply the download store and will use Microsoft's DRM technology to keep the video clips locked down.
Five and its programme makers are doubtless hoping consumers' reaction to TV downloads will match their reaction to the raft of music store openings, with many pirates willing to buy from legitimate sites when offered a legal choice.
TV piracy is already rampant in the UK. The nation now accounts for one fifth of the world's TV piracy, according to a recent report.
Comments
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1. Mark SPLINTER
the example given here is ludicrous.
the point of mp3 downloads is you can't usually get the same song by a different artist, and you can listen to songs more than once.
Wouldn't you rather spend £5 on a printed magazine?
executive madness.
2. stating the obvious
Simple solution to the Telly piracy issue.... Release the shows at the same time as the states-- Problem goes away!
Simple solution to movie piracy issue..... Release the shows at the same time as the states-- Problem goes away
If my local chinease guy who walks around my work parking lot gets the movies before the local Warner cinema does... Your customers want the latest content now, not in a months time. It a lot easier to pay a few quid and see it in a cinema. Most people choose to go to the cinema if given the choice. Why don't you listen to your customers???
3. MikeW
Well, there was BBC & Ch4 telesoftware back in the 80s ...