Cool article. And as VOD takes hold and builds massive share, that's going to gobble up bandwidth like no other application before it. That's a killer app for the Internet if ever there was one. Cisco should benefit indirectly from that. However, it begs the question of why Cisco isn't in this space? Maybe, they'll acquire one of those companies. Who knows.
Anyway, before I read your post, I had just finished watching tenth episode of The Wire using my HBO On Demand service. HBO On Demand is a VOD service that costs me $6.95 a month flat rate. For that amount I can watch a bunch of HBO movies, series shows, and specials any time I want. It also has pause, rewind and fast forward just like my VCR, except it's streaming digital video. Very cool, eh?
What's also cool is that through TIme Warner, I also get iControl, which is also a VOD service. All the latest movies that hit the Blockbuster stores, come to iControl about a month later. Difference is that iControl costs $3.95 per movie, which is billed along with my monthly cable bill, and I don't have to worry about later rental returns or have to drive to the Blockbuster to make the rental. My family has made a commitment to boycott Blockbuster from now on. It's an inconvenience having to wait an extra month, but to hell with it. I'm supportive of iControl, because this is technology at its best and I want them to be so popular that I can eventually get the movies as early as Blockbuster gets them.
Anyway, I love it and eventually everyone else will too. Down with Blockbuster! :) |
