Give me TV downloads - NOW!

When are we going to get a TV download service for the UK - it’s really starting to get on my nerves.

I sometimes log-in to the USA version of iTunes to see what their top podcasts are or who’s top of the iTunes chart and when I do I just get more and more depresed by the big promos for TV episodes (especially the free ones recently).

Google are selling TV episodes (again US only), You Tube are bound to move into that area eventually and now to top it all off Amazon are going down that route as well (US only).

What’s even worse about the Amazon offering is the big BBC content page where you can download Coupling, Doctor Who & Little Britain.

OK so Amazon’s TV shows are DRMd to hell and only a rental offering (giving you 30 days to watch it) but at least they’re available.

Someone is missing a very big trick not making a TV download store for the UK (I can live without movies).

I know very soon the BBC will be launching the iPlayer (Spring 2007) where you can download anything broadcast on the BBC and keep it for 7 days - but thats still only current shows and is nearly a year away (longer if you’re a mac user).

I’d happily pay $1.99 (currently £1.06) although I expect when it does launch the shows will be on offer at £1.99 but even that isn’t outside the realms of what I’d happily pay.

If you consider a series (6 episodes) goes for about £12 on DVD and can sometimes be an arse to get hold of £1.99 per episode is still only £11 something for a series and I expect a series would be cheaper (al la iTunes albums).

So come on Apple, SKY, Channel 4 (although I expect they’ll just join the BBC eventually) or even ITV - get your finger out of your arse and launch an online TV store for the UK.

Offer a mix of current and classic UK shows and the same for US show and it WILL go down well.

British people are very good at spending small amounts of money lots and lots of times without thinking about it (just look at the mobile phone industry).

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