Last year they tried the fast tracking format only to have the writers guild strike put any progress they made on hold. I think it was a mistake to scrap it because I know my interest in Prison Break went up as it fast tracked and then nothing. They even got at one point almost day to day with the US being the MLB playoffs were going on which delayed it in the US.

My point is that highlighted the long, long delays viewers have in getting many shows. Its one thing when one or two shows are delayed but the amount is getting to breaking point. Scrubs is only half way through season 7 which is months after its us screening. Shown at irregular times, in the late night graveyard shift and given no publicity or chance to flourish. The situation for Monk is even worse. The fifth season has not even seen the light of day on Australian TV even on TV1. That is now halfway through the seventh season. Add to the list of unappreciated, American Dad, Family Guy, King of the Hill, Nip/Tuck, New Adventures of Old Christine, Law & Order and so on and so on.

It is a civil offence.

You’ll notice that nobody has ever been arrested for downloading TV shows. Nobody ever will be.

That’s why I was somewhat amused by iiNet stating that they passed on complaints from rights holders on to the “State Police”. They very well might have, but the police would look at the complaint and toss it in the bin. It’s not their job.

the studios will never keep up.”

I give it until 2010 before they “discover” me & everyone else are using rapidshare.

There are lots of illegal activities conducted via the internet.

The last movie I downloaded via BT? Day Watch
When? : A year or so ago. Why? Because the local distributor held it back for several months, all the while advertising it as ‘coming soon’ at several local cinemas, before eventually releasing it for a 1-week run at a single cinema.

That gives all the information media companies need to know in order to dramatically reduce piracy. Stop dicking everybody around, and most will stop downloading stuff.

“… I think people ask too much of our networks.”
I ask nothing except that they don’t f**k me around; basic decency, if you will. If they can’t even manage that – say, by starting shows within 5 minutes of the advertised time, or not cutting in an extra 2 or 3 ad breaks per hour – then I don’t see why I should show them any respect.

I don’t download tv shows, on principle. Obviously, if we all downloaded our shows illegally and did not watch tv, then the studios would not bother to make these shows in the first place.

Personally, I think the Oztam rating system needs to be taken into the 21st century. I am positive that Network TEN have a lot more viewers than what the ratings suggest. Their target audience is young, single, out and about, and I’m sure half of the tv they watch is recorded or downloaded.

Channels 9 and 10 on the other hand the same cant be said about them. Channel 9 pulls shows as quickly as they put them up, they also had promised to show shows like Pushing Daisies and Chuck in 2008 and we are yet to see them at all. This is why TV is being given a bad name in this country and its primarily channel 9’s fault. They are the ones who treat viewers the worst and its like a flow on effect.

I am against all this downloading crap because it is wrong and they are committing a criminal act. Its in the laws. Sure i would like to see some of my favourite shows now but hey its impossible to do so.

TV, however, that’s a no-brainer. As I’ve said for a while now, if they treat me with contempt, I show them the same level of contempt right back at them, and I’ve got the power to control what I watch too.

Gil, the pursuit of individual downloaders (of music, mainly ) has become something of a sport for industry bodies in the USA. They sue, they ask for unpayable damages and imply massive court costs, then they offer a still-crippling “settlement” to let the accused off the hook. In the US it is both a PR exercise and grand larceny.

One would hope that AFACT or any of the other local industry bodies never gets that cocky. Though I doubt they would, since they know all too well that they’d get their proverbials cut off quick-smart in Australia.

Gone are the days where people just put up with what the networks are providing, we live in a age where we can choose for ourselves. I’m prepared to wait a week for a show that has already screened in the US, even a couple of weeks but I won’t wait for six months. Last night for example I sat and watched The Amazing Race but after it I put on my dowloaded copy of the lasted episode of Survivor Gabon. If the programmers can’t see this then they are in the wrong industry and need to go and start mowing lawns for a living because they aren’t doing their job at present. Oh and by the way, tonight I will be watching Hero’s from the other night, wouldn’t be included in the ratings but I’m still a viewer.

TV execs have got to realise things have moved on – people don’t buy newspapers, dont watch the 6pm news and everyone wants programs when they want them. Put up a legal website and people will come!

Suing, especially a frivolous suit like this one, is a desperate act, meaning they are out of ideas (with the only one they have tried being a half assed attempt at fast tracking).

Instead they should be doing things like asking the downloaders, “What would it take to make you stop downloading ?”. Which makes me think they don’t want it to stop they just want to cash in. If i were the judge i would laugh at them, then kick them out the door with a big boot.