Downloading TV programmes

[Oneeyedvic]

A recent survey highlighted that the UK has an increased number of people downloading tv programmes (usually ones that have been shown in the states - eg Joey and Desperate Housewives)

Question - why are the programmes shown in the US before anywhere else?

With films, it is almost understandable to have premieres at different times (but Lord of the Rings was a worldwide premiere). There is a lot more money at stake and they want the stars to be there for the premieres.

With tv though it seems everyone loses out. The advertisers, the television channels and the produciton company. he advertisers lose out as noone downloading is seeing their adverts. The tv channels are losing out as people aren't watching their channels, and the production company are losing out as less the channels won't pay as much as they won't get as many people watching it so it devalues the product. (not sure if that is clear or not)!

 

ANyway, why do they do that?

[secretsquiz]

the reason tv shows like joey and desperate housewives (and countless others) are shown in the US first is simply because they are american shows, i would've thought.

also, there's less risk involved for channel 4, channel 5, etc. - if joey had completely bombed in the US, channel 5 may not have bought the rights to show it over here.

i see your point about downloads, but the majority of people don't download and will still wait for things on tv.

[Oneeyedvic]

I do appreciate that they are US hsows, but surely when producing these shows the company is looking at worldwide rights, not just American rights.

I wouldn't have thought the risks involved for the UK companies are any different as to when they are shown - these rights are bought well in advance - it could bomb in the US, but Channel 4 would already have purchased the rights.

And recent poll showed over 150,000 in the UK alone downloaded tv shows.

I just don't see what anyone has to gain by delaying the showings

[QmunkE]

If a show is screened in the US, and is a failure, then it is less likely to be bought up by a foreign network, and I would imagine the converse is also true.

The reason is profit. If a show proves a success, then it will be profitable for (commercial) TV networks to show, since they will be able to sell the advertising time at a higher cost.

[seal!]

Unless it's because the USA want to give priority to they're country because, well, they're just like that aren't they.