B.B.C & Azeurus In Partnership for U.S.A Downloads of U.K Shows.

Yes, I would love to be able to follow a drama from another clime in exactly the same fashion as I can follow it as it's broadcast here, simply informed, able to get a sense of what's on offer, able to download it, discuss it, be part of the viewing figures for it. On the flip side, a more sophisiticated example of what we have now - both positive and negative aspects of it all - awaits us, no doubt, with more obstacles to side-step or ignore. YouTube is a good example of the beginnings of how viewing habits can be changed by online provision of content, a reasonably legitimate form of sharing clips that doesn't go into the realms of something like Microsoft's download service on the Xbox 360 (still restricting USA content downloads to those beyond its borders), different to the various DTO (Download to Own) services that look to be popping up, not stepping near the culture of BitTorrents and the generation-long occurances of fansubs for foreign programmes that's underground and waiting for legitimate commercial exploitation to make it more than a battle only few would seem to be interested in fighting.

Stepping-up the game on this across borders may be too much to even suggest as possible, so the BBC's teaming with Azureus to provide U.K shows to U.S.A customers might be swallowed, might be doomed, might set the example, could set a trend. Interesting idea. It's not clear to what extent the BBC is opening their vaults, how contemporary the content is (immediate, delayed, too old to have an impact on illegal downloads?) or how (if?) they'll manage the high definition form Azeurus is capable of providing in one form or another. It's not a case of it being positive no matter to what extent they're doing it, no matter how new, cheap, borderless the provision might be - it needs to usurp and benefit from the illegitimate and legitimate alternatives limitations and how they work less it be totally fruitless otherwise.

I like the idea of talking about British TV to an audience that might download, and I still remember the days of Anime Studios supporting fansubbing as a way of creating a market, but I would love to see an instant, legitimate service that crosses borders in order that online resources (such as the information I and many others care to share) which offer opinions might have more impact in relation to making it possible for others to do as I wish - share in a foreign culture as part of the ongoing, contemporary, day-to-day flow. [Source : BBC Entertainment].