Remember how NBC is ditching iTunes? And then there were rumors about being able to download shows for free, that expire within a week. Well, NBC Direct has launched and well, we can't try it out for you, because we don't have a Windows PC. But, here's what we've heard, its frustrating and cumbersome.
You must have Windows and Internet Explorer, and you must download a specialized player. You can only download the shows from the last seven days. Once you download it, you've got 48 hours to watch it before it disappears. What we did try out was their new streaming web-based version of shows which is highly improved. They've taken on the ABC model, with click through commercials staggered throughout their shows. The quality, while better than what they've had in the past, is still seriously lacking compared to ABC attempts.
Anyone tried NBC Direct?
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i wonder how fast their DRM will get hacked so that the episode won't be deleted automatically.
view t1mmy's profile
There's some level of irony that the picture on this post is Carell, one of the actors supporting the writers' strike over not being compensated for these Internet downloads, isn't there?
view chellebird's profile
I find that watching shows on their current NBC.com site incredibly frustrating. When I thought that the issue was buffering, I paused it for 20 mins and hit play and it didn't matter. I have to refresh it and then try to find the last spot that I was at. I've even stopped keeping up with shows that I can't watch on TV. It has nothing to do with my computer or internet connection, bc I watch shows on ABC.com and I don't have the same issues as I do with NBC.com
I find it ridiculous that in this age of technology that a huge TV network can't get their website together. What's that all about?
view snoopystar's profile
FYI:
Supporters of the WGA strike (we fans included) are asking our friends and other fans to boycott downloads and network sites until the strike is resolved.
Just a little info for those so inclined.
(union solidarity!)
view staciaD in N.Cal's profile
ABC is so much easier. I watch almost all the shows I like from ABC on my computer now.
view anne's profile
Why wait around for the TV stations to get their head out of their arse when you can just hit up bit torrent sites?
view DaveD's profile