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NBC Direct download service relaunches, again
NBC Direct is back with a new version of its download video player, sure to please all those anxious for a 2D version of the post-Super Bowl Chuck episode, but probably less endearing to others. NBC's solution lets viewers download shows rather than stream (you can start watching before the download finishes) in standard or high definition, however even in its third iteration is still Windows only and DRM-laden. Hulu still doesn't have much in the way of HD so it's a better option there, but we'll have to wait and see how it stacks up to the competition from ABC, Fox and CBS.[Via Download Squad & Newteevee]
Rumor: NBC and iTunes to make up, make money
We heard it from a guy (thanks, Jeff K!) who heard it from another guy who basically speculated from comments made by two other guys that, surprise surprise, NBC and iTunes are on the road to reconciliation. Ok, so it isn't really a surprise-- the odds are really good that as long as there is NBC and iTunes, they'll eventually end up together. There's been some posturing in their past, but really, both have way more to gain together than apart. Not to mention that the NBC Direct service never quite panned out correctly. Of course, neither NBC nor iTunes is clearly hurting for one another. But there's so much benefit for both to make a deal that it's not hard to expect them back together by the time new Office episodes get back on the air.
NBC content gets removed from iTunes
Well folks, it's finally, really happened. According to reports, the last vestiges of NBC have been uprooted and removed from iTunes. In accordance with the company's contract (which expired this month), all the shows you know and love have disappeared and been trucked over to the network's own content portal, NBC Direct. So, those of you hoping to make that one last 30 Rock purchase before the big N cleaned house can put the dream to rest, as well as hopes of grabbing anything from Bravo, mun2, NBC, NBC News, CNBC, NBC Sports, Sci Fi, Sleuth, Telemundo and the USA Network. Hey, at least you can get them at the network's site... what's that? You only get to watch shows for 48 hours, and there's no Mac support? Oh well.[Via TUAW]
NBC officially removed from the iTunes Store
Now that December has arrived and NBC's contract has expired, all of their content has been removed from the iTunes Store, as promised. That means no more Bravo, mun2, NBC, NBC News, CNBC, NBC Sports, Sci Fi, Sleuth, Telemundo or USA Network (Go ahead and look. We'll wait).It looks like the two companies were unable to patch things up, not surprising considering their ugly, public fighting. Good luck to NBC with hulu and that wonderful NBC Direct service, which sounds great. It requires Internet Explorer, the NBC Direct Player (Windows only) and the latest .Net framework. Videos are available for only 7 days after they initially air, and disappear from your computer 48 hours after you begin watching them (unless you remember to renew your license before then). Also, videos will only play on the computer used for the initial download. Mac users cannot use the service, though NBC says a Mac version is "...planned for 2008." Finally, downloads cannot be transferred to portable devices. Awesome. [Via MacDailyNews]
NBC Direct launches, everybody still misses iTunes
It's no secret that all TV studios hate writers, puppies and you, so it's really no surprise that NBC dropped iTunes distribution a couple months back -- it's all part of the master plan. Luckily, the new NBC Direct service, which is now in beta, is a tiny breath of fresh air. But by tiny, we mean minuscule. The service allows for free downloads of NBC shows up to seven days after they air, but it's Windows and IE only -- which does nothing to help Mac users left stranded by Amazon Unbox. The episodes also delete automatically after 48 hours, and the player installation requires all sorts of hoop jumping and Windows Media ickyness. There's also no mobile device integration or really much of any reason at all to choose the downloaded versions over online versions unless your internet connection is shaky or you just want to screw over the writers a bit more effectively. Hopefully promised iTunes-competitive features like pay-to-download (the current version includes unskippable ads) won't be long in coming.[Via Mashable]
TUAW Best of the Week
Our best posts of the week, all organized in one post for your perusal. Erica's passed the baton off to me for this edition yet again, and here we go.Apple looks out for my best interestsAnd by that, Erica means they don't.The state of the iTouch jailbreakIs not good, unfortunately.Metaliveblogging's Apple's "Mum is no longer the word" eventIs it wrong of me to wish every post from Nik started with the words, "Good morning, TUAW readers. London calling"?Run widgets (kinda) on your iPhoneErica's (kinda) hackaround lets you have a portable Dashboard.Coming in iPhone 1.1.1, probablyA short look at what might be in the next iPhone update.TUAW + iPhone turns your loved ones into piratesYaaar maties, Talk Like a Pirate... and look like one, too. Smelling like a pirate is up to you.iTunes: Free ThursdayIncluding the Prison Break season premiere. I haven't seen it in a while-- is he still following that tattoo map or are they past that?iTunes: Free FridayMore freebies, including a few frepeats (TM).Radiohead ditches iTunes to keep album completeFighting for the consumer is great-- except when you're fighting against the artist?Orange gets French iPhone in NovemberAnd our French readers say oui.Mac 101: Three Dock tipsGet to know your Dock. All over again.NBC to offer content, DRM via NBC DirectNBC plans their own player, and no one cares.Ask TUAW: Automounting a network drive, iPhone flash memory, XMP photo metadata and moreYou ask, we answer. Coming soon: TUAW Direct, where you'll only be able to read our answers, and no one else's. Plus, special this week Ask TUAW, Round II.iPod touch dark screen problemsQuality control problem messing up iPod touch screens? Lame.
NBC to offer free "NBC Direct" download service, iTunes competitor
Apparently a move to Amazon Unbox isn't all that's in the cards for NBC's lineup of television programming, newly free of those iTunes shackles. The company is going to start testing a new NBC Direct service in October with full, free downloadable episodes which can be stored up to seven days on Windows PCs. The shows will be on offer for a week as soon as they've aired, and will include imbedded, un-skippable ads. But that's just for starters, apparently NBC wants to eventually transform the service into an iTunes-competitor, with pay-to-download episodes. "We did this to eliminate the middleman," says NBC's Jeff Gaspin. That they did, and we suppose we finally know what NBC was talking about when it comes to "packaging options."[Thanks, Webon]
NBC to offer content, DRM via NBC Direct
The latest news in the NBC/Apple battle? NBC is going to make their own iTunes. With blackjack! And women! In fact, forget the blackjack and the women-- they're calling it "NBC Direct," and a brand new player (not available on Mac for a little while, go figure) will be used to download and play television shows just as soon as they finish airing on television.Sounds cool, right? What's the catch? The player is NBC only, and heavy DRM in there keeps it from playing anything else at all, including that scary "stolen copyrighted material." If you're going to use their player, you'll have to watch their shows, or else. I'd make a prediction that someone will hack it to play other stuff, but frankly, who cares. If NBC wants to go play in their own (non-Mac pool) let 'em, I say.They also say that, in the future, they may even offer download-to-own, rental, and subscription business models. If only there was a well-designed, very established and compatible, widespread piece of software out there that let them easily do that right now. Oh well. Good luck, NBC. Say hi to Tina Fey for me, and tell her I'll see her on bittorrent.[via MacRumors]
