NBC vs. Apple.

+ Wednesday, October 31, 2007 //

This is just getting silly. The war between NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker and apple. Honestly, I just don't think he gets the digital media revolution. I guess maybe he is trying to embrace it, but really. Apple was actually trying to help the industry get into the digital distribution. And Personally I think apple is doing a great job.

Jeff doesn't seem to think so. His claim is that Apple and iTunes is destroying the business pricing and fear the same will happen to video if they don't take control. Personally, I think hes got it backwards. The big music companies lost control a long time ago, when they didn't jump on the digital music industry when it started. Frankly, the war isn't even between Apple and NBC U, its between the Major Entertainment Labels, and the consumer. If they haven't realized, people don't want to spend 15$ on a CD for 3 tracks that they like, when they can easily get those tracks for free (via bit torrent). While they probably don't mind paying $1 for the track on iTunes, they certainly don't want to be limited to where they can play the music that they paid for. Thats why Apple is trying to get on the DRM free list. While Apple is not the really a good supporter of Open Source, they are doing a way better job then the entertainment industry.

Its like the cold war. The Entertainment industry tries to protect their content, and then the hackers find new ways to break it, then they try more secure ways to protect it again, and then it gets cracked again. When will it end? Personally, I am not an advocate of torrenting at all, but I can see why so many people revert to that. I think many people don't mind paying for the music or videos they like. And I especially like to make sure the artist makes some coin off of it. But when the industry tries to control everything, it gets super annoying, and totally not where the mass consumer wants to take technology.

Onto video. Another article I read talks about this new digital distribution service NBC is working on called HULU. Ive not fully done my research, but it sounds completely bogus. Looks like you need the HULU player, which is way more restrictive than even iTunes. "You mean, I can't take my videos with me? I can only watch them on my computer with your silly player? No thanks."

So that is my rant. The consumer is mostly on the go these days, and they want to take their entertainment with them. The industry, is making is very hard to do that. And although Apple doesn't have it completely right, they are getting pretty close.

Related Blogs:
CE-Oh no he didn't! Part XLVII: NBC Universal chief says Apple "destroyed" music pricing

NBC exec slams iTunes revenues/business model

Engadget Apple vs. NBC history

posted by theEsco @ 9:40 AM