The Future of Broadcasting: Bittorrent

[brad.dude03]

To quote from Michael Geist's Blog:

Sources indicate that the CBC is set to become the first major North American broadcaster to freely release one of its programs without DRM using BitTorrent. This Sunday, CBC will air Canada Next Great Prime Minister. The following day, it plans to freely release a high-resolution version via peer-to-peer networks without any DRM restrictions. This development is important not only because it shows that Canada's public broadcaster is increasingly willing to experiment with alternative forms of distribution, but also because it may help crystallize the net neutrality issue in Canada.

The CBC's mandate, as provided in the Broadcasting Act, requires it to make its programming "available throughout Canada by the most appropriate and efficient means." Using BitTorrent allows the CBC to meet its statutory mandate, yet with ISPs such as Rogers engaging in non-transparent traffic shaping, millions of Canadians may be unable to fully access programming funded by tax dollars. If the CBC experiment is successful, look for more broadcasters to do the same and for the CRTC to face mounting pressure to address net neutrality concerns.

In case you're unaware, CBC is the Canadian Broadcasting Company, one of the largest (if not the largest) broadcasting company in Canada. Canada is on the leading edge as usual

So, this means, that for the first time in history, a major broadcaster is releasing a Tv program of their own completely free, completely legal, in high resolution, onto the internet for download via bittorrent. This is huge. Perhaps some day in the future people won't even need to rip tv programs at all, as they will all be released by their respective broadcasters...

What do you guys think about DRM-free boradcasting, and how, as was stated, net neutrality issues will have to be dealt with as ISP's like Rogers (Yeah, like Rogers Cable TV, Rogers Video, etc, also my ISP) shape network traffic for Bittorrent, even though it's being used for legitimate purposes?

Thoughts plox.

 

[GST_Nemisis]

i think this is an excellent idea, if people can watch something on tv for free it makes sense to allow people to watch it online for free. i think this will actually benefit the industry because people will have more availability to more shows and therfore be more inclined to purchase box sets of tv shows they wouldnt have previously watched at all.

 

[brad.dude03]

Not just watch it online for free: You get to keep the high-quality AVI on your computer for as long as you want, DRM free, etc. Basicall,y it's just like downloading the episode from a rip group, except its the broadcasting company releasing it, not someone ripping the signal from their HD box xD

 

[Cheeder]

Errrrrrrrrrmmmm... You don't get TV for free, you pay for cable, minus the basic channels (local broadcasting). Now imagine what's going to happen when the TV is replaced by the PC monitor and all "TV" shows are being watched through the internet.. More bandwidth being used leads to more servers which leads to more money coming out of your pocket to pay for the upgrades disguised as the "service". The price you pay for cable will just be moved over (added) for internet service.
You can expect to see mergers between Cable and IS Providers.

I think monopolies are easier, and are well enough as long as the people get what they want without hassle or by a racket.

 

[~Void~]

BitTorrent FTW!

 

[Teh_Ephy]

Er, don't most cable providers also provide internet anyways?

 

[brad.dude03]

Just about every one I can think of does. Think about it: Cable is the best choice for internet, so those companies already using the technology can easily adapt to include internet into their services.

 

[Teh_Ephy]

zomg how dare you! Recant that heresy, that blasphemy! Dial up > all other mediums through which one may connect to the internet!

 

[GST_Nemisis]

in england there are only two companies that provide both internet and tv which are sky and virgin media. however there are many many companies that only provide internet such as AOL, tiscali, orange and loads more.

 

[Teh_Ephy]

LMFAO, AOL in the UK?

 

[brad.dude03]

Apparently AOL is a major corporation outside of North America, whether providing internet or not, it's still huge everywhere.