Okay, here's something that could actually get me to use Zudeo. When BitTorrent client developers Azureus launched a new broadband service for users to share and download high-definition videos, it seemed a bit clunky to me. Unlike reigning the raining champ, YouTube, Zudeo requires you to install software to play, and you can't immediately watch programs.
But now Azureus says they've reached a deal with the BBC to carry BBC programming on Zudeo. That means shows such as Doctor Who, Little Britain, and Red Dwarf could be available legally in the US through a peer-to-peer BitTorrent service.
When I was in college, I was made aware that TV viewers in the UK were always a season or two behind on one of my favorite shows, Buffy The Vampire Slayer. I guess turnabout is fair play, but it's been painful waiting for the Sci Fi channel in the US to show new episodes of Doctor Who almost a year after they've already aired in Britain. I hope this deal means that first-run programs will be available on Zudeo for a small fee, or even for free. If programs such as Torchwood don't make it onto Zudeo or another service I might just wait until they come out on DVD.
1.
I wonder if the SciFi Channel is getting a cut of US sales from this service. That was one of the conditions that the SciFi Channel (ahem, NBC Universal) placed on carrying the show on their channel; that they'd get a cut of the DVD sales.
Granted, that's not a lot of money since BBC Worldwide Americas/Warner Home Video have priced the DVD box sets so frakkin' high. I had hoped for an iTunes Store release too, but this is still great that fans here in the U.S. can actually support the show monetarily instead of straight pirating just so they don't have to wait 6 months/1 year for an American cable channel to televise it.
Posted at 1:56PM on Dec 20th 2006 by The Jeremy