TV Network Execs Defend Broadcast Flag In The Name Of Inconvenience
from the control-issues dept
We've long contended that the entertainment industry just doesn't get it when it comes to new technology. But don't take our word for it -- take theirs. Ed Felten recounts an article about a recent panel discussion, in which News Corp. VP Rick Lane actually said, responding to concerns that a broadcast flag would lead to incompatibility among TVs and other digital devices, "Compatibility is not a goal." Translation: "We are so ossified and resistant to change that we'd rather inconvenience, alienate, and anger consumers and stifle technological innovation than give up some control over our content and figure out new ways to grow our business." The industry is so hell bent on keeping content locked up behind proprietary walls that it can't grasp the idea that open and compatible is good for progress (e.g., the internet). Attempts to keep the content and media proprietary are just asking for trouble. As Felten points out, you don't want to put yourself between Americans and their televisions. Amazingly, the most egregious violations of this premise are being made by television networks.Thank you for reading this Techdirt post. With so many things competing for everyone’s attention these days, we really appreciate you giving us your time. We work hard every day to put quality content out there for our community.
Techdirt is one of the few remaining truly independent media outlets. We do not have a giant corporation behind us, and we rely heavily on our community to support us, in an age when advertisers are increasingly uninterested in sponsoring small, independent sites — especially a site like ours that is unwilling to pull punches in its reporting and analysis.
While other websites have resorted to paywalls, registration requirements, and increasingly annoying/intrusive advertising, we have always kept Techdirt open and available to anyone. But in order to continue doing so, we need your support. We offer a variety of ways for our readers to support us, from direct donations to special subscriptions and cool merchandise — and every little bit helps. Thank you.
–The Techdirt Team
Reader Comments
Subscribe: RSS
View by: Time | Thread
An attention getter finally?
Having watched "The Corporation" recently, it seems it is going to require something very dear to the American people being taken away to get us to rise up against the corporate ruling class of the last few decades.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
No Subject Given
You are simply and totally wrong, and that's something people MUST start to realize.
These people aren't dinosaurs and they AREN'T stupid or "out of touch". They simply do NOT have the same goals as we do.
Their goal is to line their pockets, they not only do NOT care about 10-20 years down the road (because by then they will retire rich) and they know the most important thing:
The public won't do ANYTHING about it as long as its gradual and not outrageous.
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: An attention getter finally?
[ link to this | view in thread ]
Re: An attention getter finally?
[ link to this | view in thread ]