Watching Shows on Computer: Bad?

[Lumenskir]

A different take on watching shows that I didn't want to derail the other thread.

What is the general opinion on 'pirating' television?

I'm not at all averse to the practice. I own a television, my household pays for basic and premium cable, and we've got a DVR. I think it's stupid to think that me downloading the first season of Friday Night Lights because I missed its initial run is somehow 'stealing' money from the networks or whoever. If I was a part of a Nielsen family I'd probably reconsider my practices, but since the networks get paid an equal amount no matter if I watch or not, I'm not going to be bashful when I torrent a few megs of a sitcom that was recommended to me.

But, I might be missing a crucial argument, so what about you guys?

[Aerozord]

well my basic rule is this. If I cant get it normally I download it. I think the company has no right to complain about me downloading (for example) Megas when the company itself refuses to release the freakin DVDs

[Tendronai]

My rule of thumb is to wait for the DVD's, unless it's something current I want to see immediately, and I have no access to the program in a more legal method.

I might have downloaded the second season of the Venture Bros when it initially aired because there was no way for me to see it as it was airing, and I knew my stupid-ass friends would spoil it for me if I didn't. (And they tried, too) However, if I had done such a thing, I most definitely deleted it and bought the DVD's the day they were released. However, this is all idle speculation, since I would never break the law intentionally.

[Azisien]

My rule of thumb is generally it's not illegal, so I'll go ahead and do it. While I could waste some brain power delving into the intricate morality of the situation (as opposed to blindly following the law), I don't think there are many adverse affects that come from me pirating some television shows here and there.

I mean, if a show is awesome, I've probably already bought the boxed set and I happily watch it on my very large, very nice TV. If it's playing on TV, chances are I also watch it on my very large, very nice TV. As far as quality goes, the 56" TV still trumps my 15.5" laptop screen.

[Mac]

I rarely of ever download TV shows.

The exception to that rules has been the Original Turtles Cartoon, Transformers G1, Fullmetal Alchemist and just recently Captain N.

[Hawk]

well my basic rule is this. If I cant get it normally I download it. I think the company has no right to complain about me downloading (for example) Megas when the company itself refuses to release the freakin DVDs

Exactly my thoughts on the issue as well. This is why I'm currently working my way through the entire 5 seasons of Sliders, because seasons 4+5 aren't available and whilst looking for both seasons, I found the other 3 as well. If they had all been available on DVD, then they would already be apart of my collection, but seeing as they're not, well, fuck 'em!

Though if they are available, then I do preffer to buy the DVDs.

[TopHatAssassin]

I'm pretty much all for downloading shows, or watching them on one of those fancy sites that links to other fancy sites that has the shows on them. I prefer watching them on tv though, because I'm easily distracted by other things when I'm on the computer, and I just don't have the patience to sit in front of the monitor and watch when I could be doing so many other things.
But by all means, let the downloading continue.

[Donomni]

If it's been on TV in the US, and I miss something, I'd probably DL it.

Anything else, however, I'm wary of.

[Lord of Joshelplex]

I only DL a show if it is hard to get, or otherwise unavailable in the US (Example, Samurai 7) but if I can find it on DVD, I bvuy that instead, (Example, The Office (All season out so far))

[Living Bobbeh]

Surely it's illegal/costing networks money as you're not gonna be seeing the adverts which is how they all make their money. Oh well.

I've seen the odd clip from TV shows but never watched it online instead of on the telly. I make sure that I watch on the telly if it's something I really enjoy watching.

[Krylo]

Surely it's illegal/costing networks money as you're not gonna be seeing the adverts which is how they all make their money.On the legality? Yeah, I'm relatively sure it's illegal.

On the costing money thing, though... kinda, but not really.

You see, the networks get their money from the Nielsen Ratings. A few thousand people are contacted and offered like fifty bucks to either install a monitoring box on their TV or to fill out a little book with everything that they watch during the day for about a month.

After that time, those numbers are used to come up with the ratings.

From there companies look at these ratings and then go ahead and pay the networks a certain amount of money, in advance, to air their commercials. Those with the highest ratings get the most money.

So--unless you're a Nielsen family, AND you would have been watching that show/something else on a television at that time, or you would have bought it on DVD had you not downloaded it--you're not actually costing the networks money.

Also, as per the legality issue, I'm not entirely certain this is a legal topic, but it's been open for six hours with no one else stepping in, so I'm going to assume we're ok with it. If I'm mistaken, then I give another mod full permission to close the thread down.

[Demetrius]

Legal-wise, I'm fairly sure you're allowed to download network shows as long as you don't retain them for more than a certain period of time... At least that was how it worked for videotaping stuff you'd otherwise miss.

[Azisien]

It would also depend on the country. As far as I understand it, in Canada I can download pretty much anything I want, as long as I'm viewing it privately/not distributing it (even for non-profit). Maybe it's changed recently, but last I checked.

I know the US has more stringent laws on the subject, but I don't know what they are (since they hardly apply to me!)

[Kerensky287]

I only ever watch the really old (or at least, no longer airing) shows on the internet. Stuff like Get Smart, Batman 1960s (Adam West for the win), and Pinky and the Brain is hard to see on TV nowadays, but the episodes are still classic.

"Some days you just can't get rid of a bomb..."

EDIT: Also, as Azisien said, I can do it legally. Because I am canadian.

[Regulus Tera]

What I do is the same thing that Brian has confessed to do: I watch a show I cannot normally get (such as Doctor Who) in any of the usual outlets, and if it catches my attention span long enough, I buy the DVDs as soon as possible.

[Aerozord]

now that I think about it, weren't all these anti-piracy regulations and laws meant for music? They might transfer to television but that doesn't mean they still make sence afterwards. Main source of income for music is CD sales. Main sorce for TV is, well, TV.

When you download something CD/DVD sales are what would suffer the greatest lose. For television the DVD sales are not only minor part of the income, but are normally an after thought. They are just meant to gain some extra revanue.

Only way lose of DVD sales would do damage to actual television programing is the chance of a shows revival. Remember Family Guy was brought back due to both ratings from re-runs and high DVD sales.