networks broadcasting live streams

[lumis]

i was just thinking about this..

why wouldnt network provide live streams of their programming from their websites? i'm not saying they should archive each episode of all of their programs for on-demand access.. just provide a live stream of what is currently on, commercials and all.. its not like this would take away from television.. sitting/laying on your couch is much better than watching on a computer.. but this could only improve ratings (and ad revenue) for the networks.. in the end, they're interested in money.. i doubt bandwith would cost that much in the volume they would purchase it in.. the broadcast wouldnt be even near the quality of the broadcast version, so people making copies wouldnt be that much of an issue (i.e., recording off radio, not much to worry about).. this makes much more sense for the big tv broadcasters (nbc, abc, cbs, fox, etc) because there would really be no qualms with anyone.. but for sat/cable only stations there could be problems because the sat/cable companies would think it was a substitute for their services.. but in the end, if the company broadcasting gets more net viewers with internet broadcasting than without, they would stick with it because then they could charge advertisers more $$$.. and in the grand scheme of things more $$$ = all that matters.

[yoda313]

Hello,

Too expensive. They want you to pay for "on demand" cable for that privelige

Or get a TIVO or REPLAY TV

Kevin

[AlecWest]

i was just thinking about this..

why wouldnt network provide live streams of their programming from their websites?

Eventually, this will happen ... but not until the majority of the country goes to fiber-optic ultra-high-speed broadband. I'm not sure most people would want to pay for a 320x240 display at 200-400kbps. But when they can provide full-screen displays at 4000kbps or better (and do it cheaply), then the viewing public will beat a path to their doors.