Gone in 30 Seconds
Two years ago, Turner Broadcasting CEO Jamie Kellner branded PVR owners as thieves and reminded all viewers that “your contract with the network when you get the show is you’re going to watch the spots.” What, did you really think those bathroom breaks you’ve been taking all these years would never catch up with you?
Fortunately, most of us rejected this assessment and returned to our lawless mid-show sandwich fixing no worse for the wear. Of course, nobody likes being called a crook, and people wondered whether Kellner was wise to admonish the public with his revenue so closely tied to viewership. I mean, who could possibly treat their customers any worse?
It’s now pretty clear that the broadcasting and music industries share a common problem: new technologies are challenging business models that they have relied on for decades. The RIAA has had to deal with it first, which may partially explain their single-minded determination to bring grandmothers and 12-year-old girls to justice. But in a few years time, PVRs may become ubiquitous, and broadcasters will surely find new ways to pay the bills.
So go ahead and enjoy that TiVo - while you still can.
DISCLAIMER: Though I own and operate a home-built PVR, I have only used it to squeeze in refrigerator runs when my Mayo-Mustard Equilibrium is seriously threatened.
