Startup Diaries

NBC Direct - Is this TV 2.0?

NBC released a new beta version of their NBC Direct service.
While all network went for a more traditional (amazing how we already treat this as "traditional") model of giving a streaming access to their TV shows, NBC direct takes a more experimental approach.

By downloading their software, you can directly download HD version of all their shows and watch it anytime you want, even when you are on a plane with no Internet access.
The service uses two interesting technologies in order to make this a true money making business for NBC.
First it uses P2P architecture to download the episodes. By using P2P, NBC eliminates one of the biggest hurdles of delivering HD content - it pushes the costs directly to ISP. We need to note that all this is fine today, but if more ISP, like comcast, will start to put cap limits on the user monthly use this model can break down.
Second, NBC Direct uses Extend Media OpenCase agent to download in the background new ads that will appear in the videos. This allows NBC to make sure that no matter when you watch the video, they can monetize them.

it will be very interesting to see how this new model plays out? Is this the new TV 2.0 model? Free HD TV any time and anywhere, supported by everchanging ads? We will have to wait and see...

Unfortunately the service really seems to be in beta state as I couldn't get the player to install on my machine...

Microsoft Smart Play With Innovative Music Model

I was always a fan of subscription music services. I never really understood why people insist on paying so much money for each individual song or album.
I mean, it's enough for you buy only one album a month to already pay the monthly subscription fee, and with a subscription you can basically download and listen to any album you want (yes. Including the new ones).
So why people still prefer the pay per song model of Apple?
The most repeated answer I get is "Because I want to own my music. I want to make sure that if I want to listen to this album in 10 years, I'll be able to do so".
Now, to be honest, I think this is nonsense. We all know that in 10 years, the albums of today will probably be free on the web anyway. But I can understand the psychology behind it and respect that.

A few weeks ago, Microsoft changed their Zune Pass subscription service and added an innovative hybrid model.
For $14 a month, you get their full subscription service like before, but now you can also completely own forever 10 songs (the average length of an album) each month. Basically, it's like buying an album and get the subscription almost for free.

I truly hope this move will finally get Apple to change their mind and offer a comparable subscription music service on iTunes...
If you really want to keep people pay for music, you need to adopt and offer them a cheap enough legal option. Pay per song is just not that option.