Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

[Mega]

Don't know if you guys can watch this:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode..._Poor_America/

[Mega]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode..._Poor_America/

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

not available from bbc
but you can watch it on youtube, for now
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=suJCvkazrTc

[mooncliff]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

I understand why BBC programs are available for free over the internet within jurisdictions in which people have paid to support the BBC. However, I don't understand why they dont license the programs outside the UK. I would gladly pay $50 or $100 a year to see archived BBC programs. They would get revenue, no? As it is, they get nothing because if someone really wants to see something, they get it from a torrent, or else they just give up and forget about it.

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

This is a very confusing issue and I would enjoy hearing from itulip readers as to what is really going on. Some content providers claim they would have to buy too many servers to offer content overseas. Some claim they are unable to negotiate/navigate property rights within individual countries. (No one says we are blocking streaming in Thailand because the material would be pirated.) With radio stations streaming around the world, what is really at the heart of Spotify, Hula, the BBC restricting access by would-be patrons in foreign countries?

[FrankL]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

The BBC also has a long history of being a real pain to receive abroad through satellite. Basically the only way was to find a UK resident who was willing to sell a smartcard to you and a satellite decoder box (Sky Box); they were not available to non-UK residents (even when you have British nationality).

I just did a Google and seemingly this has finally changed now.

[gnk]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

US based channels do the same thing. Try accessing hulu or any other network like NBC from abroad. Most likely, you can't.

I'm in Greece, the only network I can say I can access easily (there may be others) is Comedy Central.

[Thailandnotes]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

I'm in Greece, the only network I can say I can access easily (there may be others) is Comedy Central.

Thank goodness for that.

I just don't get why so many sites are not available outside their country of origin. I have never read an article explaining the blocking of access to content. Mega can watch it. Why can't I? And what does it portend? Which way is it going?

[gnk]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

Yeah, Comedy Central, the irony. It actually is often a better news source than traditional media!

I also can't access the BBC link. It's common, I don't think it's anything purposeful other than red tape/copyright licensing rights. I can watch CNBC and Bloomberg online, but their material is theirs - they produce it themselves with no future syndication/licensing issues - they own it 100%. Whereas, say, ABC, CBS, and NBC show material like sitcoms and drama series that are often produced by individuals with contracts that may prohibit rebroadcast in other markets for reasons such as future royalties/syndication, etc... Just a guess.

[Prazak]

Re: Americas Poor (BBC TV Doc)

Yeah, Comedy Central, the irony. It actually is often a better news source than traditional media!

I also can't access the BBC link. It's common, I don't think it's anything purposeful other than red tape/copyright licensing rights. I can watch CNBC and Bloomberg online, but their material is theirs - they produce it themselves with no future syndication/licensing issues - they own it 100%. Whereas, say, ABC, CBS, and NBC show material like sitcoms and drama series that are often produced by individuals with contracts that may prohibit rebroadcast in other markets for reasons such as future royalties/syndication, etc... Just a guess.

Quite possibly the BBC licensed the rights to broadcast the program only in the U.K., and the program's producer or rights-holding distributor has licensed or wishes to license those broadcasting rights in other territories, particularly in a lucrative market like the U.S. Documentary film-makers have to make a living too.