The first episode of the new Doctor Who series just aired in the UK. Reports from colleagues such as Chris and Dave are positive. So why are we in the US having to wait? From the BBC's FAQ:
Q. Will the new series be aired outside the UK?
A. So far, we only have confirmation that the new series has been bought by CBC television in Canada, who air it on Tuesdays at 7pm, starting on April 5, and Prime TV in New Zealand, who have not yet announced an air date. No Australian or US broadcaster has picked up the series yet.
AARGH!!!!
Posted by geoff2 at March 27, 2005 08:12 PMWe in the US usually have to wait. The market for british series seems to limited to PBS and the A&E network on cable. PBS has a hard enough time affording years old East Enders here, so I can't imagine there is money for a first run Dr. Who.
I'm disappointed that BBCAmerica haven't picked up the series.
OK, "disappointed" is not really the right term, but it's as close as I can get publically to what I want to say.
Posted by: Mark J Musante at March 27, 2005 11:07 PMIf you have to wait, it's because (a) you don't know how to use bittorrent (b) because you don't know how to watch videos on your computer (c) because you don't have any screen anywhere it might be comfortable to watch (d) you don't believe it's morally acceptable to download copyrighted material, even if you are otherwise denied access to that material (e) you believe it's acceptable, but believe that the penalties are too harsh to make it worthwhile or (f) you're lazy.
I'm pretty sure you're technically competent, so (a) and (b) are right out. I also seem to remember that you had a laptop, so (c) seems unlikely. You've taken time to complain in your blog, so I doubt it's (f).
(e) doesn't seem to me to be a resonably true statement, at least if we're talking about downloading a single non-US television program.
Is it (d)? Is it one of the other options? Did I miss something? If it's (d), why? (Not the general respecting-copyright thing, which I can understand, but the specific case of media that isn't locally available...)
Posted by: J. Lasser at March 28, 2005 12:57 AMNot one for diplomacy, are you J?
(d) is certainly an issue, but for me I'd like to see it officially available so as to attract brave new fans. So, yes, you did miss something.
Those of us capable of downloading it are only going to do it if we're already fans. How do expect to grow your fanbase (and thereby grow revenue) if you make people have to WORK to get at the content?
Posted by: Mark J Musante at March 28, 2005 08:05 AMOh, and a few links, just because I like torturing myself.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/4385801.st
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,3604,1446649,00.html
http://www.newkerala.com/news-daily/news/features.php?action=fullnews&id=90989
http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/entertainment/filmandtv/tv/s/152/152637_doctor_who_wins_prime_time_battle.html
http://news.independent.co.uk/media/story.jsp?story=624057
For some of us, there's also an option (g); for whatever reason, we're still using a dialup connection, and bittorrent is not really feasible.
Posted by: Harold Wallace at June 1, 2005 10:28 PM