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Hands up who downloads TV eps illegally?
Published Tuesday, Aug 25 2009, 11:34 BST | By Dan French and Neil Wilkes | 22 comments
Last time on the TV Poll, we asked what form you would like a much-touted Doctor Who movie to take.
The results are now in and it seems most of you - around 65% - believe that David Tennant should be the main star of such a film, despite Matt Smith having taken over as The Doctor come eventual release time.
14.3% of voters indicated interest in a movie starring Rose (Billie Piper) and The Other Doctor, set in a parallel world, while 10.7% would like a Tennant-Alex Kingston combo. A massive 40.4% said they don't care about the storyline, as long as DT is involved!
As for other incarnations of the Time Lord, just 7.3% stated preference for a Matt Smith big screen outing and a not-insubstantial 10.3% wanted to see Paul McGann return for another Who movie. Finally, some 17% of voters declared that a movie is a bad idea, full stop.
This week, we're straying from the norm and asking how many Tube Talk readers download their favourite television shows illegally. You know the score - your no.1 US show hasn't arrived in the UK yet and you're just desperate to watch it and you your friend knows a site where you can download the latest episode for free ahead of its UK transmission.
Or maybe you prefer to wait for the likes of Heroes, Lost and Supernatural to air on their respective channels. Are there people out there who do it? Absolutely. Is it a bit controversial? Maybe. Will we report you? No.
Why do we want to know? Perhaps then we can be a bit wiser to the kinds of pieces we post here, without censoring too much/little content. As per usual, vote below in the poll and then feel free to sound off in the usual place below!
Check back next week to find out the result!
The results are now in and it seems most of you - around 65% - believe that David Tennant should be the main star of such a film, despite Matt Smith having taken over as The Doctor come eventual release time.
14.3% of voters indicated interest in a movie starring Rose (Billie Piper) and The Other Doctor, set in a parallel world, while 10.7% would like a Tennant-Alex Kingston combo. A massive 40.4% said they don't care about the storyline, as long as DT is involved!
As for other incarnations of the Time Lord, just 7.3% stated preference for a Matt Smith big screen outing and a not-insubstantial 10.3% wanted to see Paul McGann return for another Who movie. Finally, some 17% of voters declared that a movie is a bad idea, full stop.
Or maybe you prefer to wait for the likes of Heroes, Lost and Supernatural to air on their respective channels. Are there people out there who do it? Absolutely. Is it a bit controversial? Maybe. Will we report you? No.
Why do we want to know? Perhaps then we can be a bit wiser to the kinds of pieces we post here, without censoring too much/little content. As per usual, vote below in the poll and then feel free to sound off in the usual place below!
Check back next week to find out the result!
Your Views
22 Comments
Your Responses
Simon, Glasgow, on August 29th, 2009
I always prefer to watch shows on TV, either at transmission or on DVD. It's never the same on a computer, so I never download. I feel like I'm ripping myself off doing that.
I always prefer to watch shows on TV, either at transmission or on DVD. It's never the same on a computer, so I never download. I feel like I'm ripping myself off doing that.
Chris, N.Wales, on August 29th, 2009
If I know for sure a UK broadcaster will show it then I'll tend to wait, I prefer watching it in good quality on a tv screen. If it's not been bought in the UK I'll have a look for it online. If there was a legal service, I might have a go at that.
If I know for sure a UK broadcaster will show it then I'll tend to wait, I prefer watching it in good quality on a tv screen. If it's not been bought in the UK I'll have a look for it online. If there was a legal service, I might have a go at that.
Lee, South Wales, on August 28th, 2009
I dont believe that downloading a tv show that has not aired in Britain yet is illegal. We have paid our tv license to watch tv shows via all manners of equipment including pc's and I for one am happy to do so.
I dont believe that downloading a tv show that has not aired in Britain yet is illegal. We have paid our tv license to watch tv shows via all manners of equipment including pc's and I for one am happy to do so.
pete lancashire, on August 28th, 2009
Why shouldn't people download their favourite tv, look how the tv channels treat their viewers, sci fi showed the 1st 2 seasons of the brilliant "Regenesis" then decided not to show the final 2 seasons so we have had to wait years until finally FX has decided to show them, it wasn't even available on dvd. Then you get other channels such as FX who decided to DROP the final 2 episodes of "The Border", despite numerous emails to the channel they never even had the courtesy to reply to tell me they had dropped it due to ratings, (This isn't available on dvd until 30th November this year). They don't care about the viewers so why should the loyal viewers care about the tv channels, it works both ways.
Why shouldn't people download their favourite tv, look how the tv channels treat their viewers, sci fi showed the 1st 2 seasons of the brilliant "Regenesis" then decided not to show the final 2 seasons so we have had to wait years until finally FX has decided to show them, it wasn't even available on dvd. Then you get other channels such as FX who decided to DROP the final 2 episodes of "The Border", despite numerous emails to the channel they never even had the courtesy to reply to tell me they had dropped it due to ratings, (This isn't available on dvd until 30th November this year). They don't care about the viewers so why should the loyal viewers care about the tv channels, it works both ways.
Arwen in Seattle Wa, USA, on August 28th, 2009
I see no reason not to download off the web so long as ppl A: watch it when is IS available on TV or B: buy the DVDs when they come out for that season/series. It's not like movies where you have to pay to watch just that. On TV you pay in general whether you watch or not. So why not watch it at convenience on your computer instead of waiting for it to air or repeat.
I see no reason not to download off the web so long as ppl A: watch it when is IS available on TV or B: buy the DVDs when they come out for that season/series. It's not like movies where you have to pay to watch just that. On TV you pay in general whether you watch or not. So why not watch it at convenience on your computer instead of waiting for it to air or repeat.
Claire, Huddersfield, on August 27th, 2009
I used to always watch Heroes, House and 24 online as the time you had to wait for them to be show over here was ridiculous especially house. However now that Sky have got House and The Beeb seem to be taking the same tactic of showing heroes a week after the US then I will just wait for them on the TV. My latest one is True Blood. I started watching on FX then found out that Season 2 has already started in the US so have been watching it online cos God knows when we will catch up with that.
I used to always watch Heroes, House and 24 online as the time you had to wait for them to be show over here was ridiculous especially house. However now that Sky have got House and The Beeb seem to be taking the same tactic of showing heroes a week after the US then I will just wait for them on the TV. My latest one is True Blood. I started watching on FX then found out that Season 2 has already started in the US so have been watching it online cos God knows when we will catch up with that.
Nick, on August 27th, 2009
Do you know if any uk channel is picking up Fox's Fashion House or Wicked Wicked Games?
Do you know if any uk channel is picking up Fox's Fashion House or Wicked Wicked Games?
Kareem, London, on August 27th, 2009
I see the no need for myself to have a TV anymore. Download a TV show, sometimes minutes after it has finished airing in the states, is much better then waiting, sometimes months. Hell, I can even download TV in 720p about 20-30mins after airing.
I see the no need for myself to have a TV anymore. Download a TV show, sometimes minutes after it has finished airing in the states, is much better then waiting, sometimes months. Hell, I can even download TV in 720p about 20-30mins after airing.
Jim UK, on August 26th, 2009
Interesting, I didn't release there was actually a law against downloading US TV?
Interesting, I didn't release there was actually a law against downloading US TV?
Kate, UK, on August 26th, 2009
I don't download, but I do sometimes watch stuff illegally online! Show like the new American comedy series 'Glee' aren't aired in the UK so therefore I'm forced to watch them illegally (or I could just wait for the DVD!)
I don't download, but I do sometimes watch stuff illegally online! Show like the new American comedy series 'Glee' aren't aired in the UK so therefore I'm forced to watch them illegally (or I could just wait for the DVD!)
Andrew, Yorkshire, on August 26th, 2009
I rarely download any TV shows - the only reason I have ever done it is when the Sky+ has failed and by the time I realise I have missed the repeats. Recent examples, were an episode of Dexter and something off the Beeb that had gone from iPlayer. I pay my license fee and my Sky subscription and its a technology fault that means I have not been able to watch it normally - therefore I feel that this is accepatable by my own moral compass
I rarely download any TV shows - the only reason I have ever done it is when the Sky+ has failed and by the time I realise I have missed the repeats. Recent examples, were an episode of Dexter and something off the Beeb that had gone from iPlayer. I pay my license fee and my Sky subscription and its a technology fault that means I have not been able to watch it normally - therefore I feel that this is accepatable by my own moral compass
S, London, on August 26th, 2009
OK what if sky have nabbed your favourite show and you dont have sky, is downloading them and watching them as if you have sky illegal? No money is lost is it if you don't have the freakin' channel!
OK what if sky have nabbed your favourite show and you dont have sky, is downloading them and watching them as if you have sky illegal? No money is lost is it if you don't have the freakin' channel!
Piratey Pete, The High Seas, on August 25th, 2009
The technology exists which enables me to watch shows I keenly anticipate and support, hours after it airs on the other side of the world. If I could download it legally within that time frame, I would happily do so. But instead, the foreign network seriously expects me to wait months until a UK Network to eventually air it at some ungodly hour, with all the good bits censored out or edited to fit time constraints. And then wait several more months to actually 'own' a copy I can watch again and again. No. The sooner these pig-headed fools realise we now live in a truely instant global community, and make the material freely, commercially available internationally, immediately - only then will they see a decline in Piracy and in increase in profits. You only need to look 'Doctor Horribles Sing-A-Long Blog' to see I'm right. Even US Networks would kill for audiences of 25 million.
The technology exists which enables me to watch shows I keenly anticipate and support, hours after it airs on the other side of the world. If I could download it legally within that time frame, I would happily do so. But instead, the foreign network seriously expects me to wait months until a UK Network to eventually air it at some ungodly hour, with all the good bits censored out or edited to fit time constraints. And then wait several more months to actually 'own' a copy I can watch again and again. No. The sooner these pig-headed fools realise we now live in a truely instant global community, and make the material freely, commercially available internationally, immediately - only then will they see a decline in Piracy and in increase in profits. You only need to look 'Doctor Horribles Sing-A-Long Blog' to see I'm right. Even US Networks would kill for audiences of 25 million.
Jayne, Devon, on August 25th, 2009
I don't download cos I'm not techie enough, but a varient on this is: how many people have multi-region DVD players and buy DVDs from the States before the show has even aired in the UK? I would be one; I got sick of being over a year behind on The Closer, for example - Season 4 finally kicks off next week, but it aired a year ago and was released on DVD 3 months ago. For the first time it's been given a sociable timeslot, but it always used to air 11/12 at night, sometimes later (so why bother, C4?) and I don't have Sky+ - so overall, waiting for and watching this show was c!!p. BTW it's another fantastic season, with 2 of the best eps of the entire show. Anyway - whilst Sky1 are fantastic with US shows, airing just days later, and racing through S5 of House, for instance, so we can roll straight into S6; other channels are rubbish or even plain awful, like C4, who used to be the leaders in US TV but now treat their shows with contempt, bar Desperate Housewives. Until the US:UK transmission problem is dealt with, more and more people will find other ways to watch their favourite shows - and why not?
I don't download cos I'm not techie enough, but a varient on this is: how many people have multi-region DVD players and buy DVDs from the States before the show has even aired in the UK? I would be one; I got sick of being over a year behind on The Closer, for example - Season 4 finally kicks off next week, but it aired a year ago and was released on DVD 3 months ago. For the first time it's been given a sociable timeslot, but it always used to air 11/12 at night, sometimes later (so why bother, C4?) and I don't have Sky+ - so overall, waiting for and watching this show was c!!p. BTW it's another fantastic season, with 2 of the best eps of the entire show. Anyway - whilst Sky1 are fantastic with US shows, airing just days later, and racing through S5 of House, for instance, so we can roll straight into S6; other channels are rubbish or even plain awful, like C4, who used to be the leaders in US TV but now treat their shows with contempt, bar Desperate Housewives. Until the US:UK transmission problem is dealt with, more and more people will find other ways to watch their favourite shows - and why not?
Brekkie, Wales, on August 25th, 2009
So many imported shows nowadays rely on the buzz created by people who watch them before they reach our screens - and I 100% believe that those who do download stuff will then go on to watch it on TV (if screened soon enough) or buy the box set as a result. Personally I only really download stuff if I know if won't be shown here. Drama and that I'm happy enough to wait for as it's not worth the hassle - although I do find myself having to download UK shows I've missed here as I find the streaming services unreliable as like so many in this country who don't live in the big cities, broadband isn't as fast as we're meant to believe it is.
So many imported shows nowadays rely on the buzz created by people who watch them before they reach our screens - and I 100% believe that those who do download stuff will then go on to watch it on TV (if screened soon enough) or buy the box set as a result. Personally I only really download stuff if I know if won't be shown here. Drama and that I'm happy enough to wait for as it's not worth the hassle - although I do find myself having to download UK shows I've missed here as I find the streaming services unreliable as like so many in this country who don't live in the big cities, broadband isn't as fast as we're meant to believe it is.
Jon, Bristol, on August 25th, 2009
The only reason I download TV episodes is either, an episode missed (e.g. Sky+ failure), a season not on for ages or at all, or even cancelled programs or old series (e.g Numb3rs) that I have missed. For example, I downloaded Dollhouse, but have been watching it on sci-fi, using the download as a potential backup. (It takes me ages to get to some of the programs I download). Also I don't download films (dodgy quality most of the time) and music
The only reason I download TV episodes is either, an episode missed (e.g. Sky+ failure), a season not on for ages or at all, or even cancelled programs or old series (e.g Numb3rs) that I have missed. For example, I downloaded Dollhouse, but have been watching it on sci-fi, using the download as a potential backup. (It takes me ages to get to some of the programs I download). Also I don't download films (dodgy quality most of the time) and music
Mac, Dublin, on August 25th, 2009
It depends really, if it's a show that nobody has picked up here, or as is too often the case are 2 years behind and show it at 3oClock in the morning, then yes I do it. Lately though most channels have upped their game, Sky for example shows most things only a week behind the states, so there's no need to bother.
It depends really, if it's a show that nobody has picked up here, or as is too often the case are 2 years behind and show it at 3oClock in the morning, then yes I do it. Lately though most channels have upped their game, Sky for example shows most things only a week behind the states, so there's no need to bother.
Nick, Leeds, on August 25th, 2009
Peter - there's no British Hulu because the UK Governments anti-competition commission scuppered Project Kangaroo. Also as for "...no immediate monetary value to the content..." I think the TV stations would have a different view and suggest they are losing advertising revenue (which is already at an all time low). On the flip side, how many of us record our favourite shows and then skip the ads anyway? In that situation you're still not being exposed to ads, although I bet that's not taken into account when the TV stations try to flog ad space! For me the problem occurs when there's a great, but perhaps minor, show in the US, but no-one picks it up here (or not for a long long time at least). A small handful of people within the media industry decide what I can and can't watch. And in this media-rich internet age, by the time the series comes out of DVD (or is finally picked up by a channel in the UK) there's so many review of storylines and comments out there it spoils it for you. Things have certainly improved of late with series such as Heroes and Desperate Housewives being shown within one or two weeks of the US airing, but its still not ideal.
Peter - there's no British Hulu because the UK Governments anti-competition commission scuppered Project Kangaroo. Also as for "...no immediate monetary value to the content..." I think the TV stations would have a different view and suggest they are losing advertising revenue (which is already at an all time low). On the flip side, how many of us record our favourite shows and then skip the ads anyway? In that situation you're still not being exposed to ads, although I bet that's not taken into account when the TV stations try to flog ad space! For me the problem occurs when there's a great, but perhaps minor, show in the US, but no-one picks it up here (or not for a long long time at least). A small handful of people within the media industry decide what I can and can't watch. And in this media-rich internet age, by the time the series comes out of DVD (or is finally picked up by a channel in the UK) there's so many review of storylines and comments out there it spoils it for you. Things have certainly improved of late with series such as Heroes and Desperate Housewives being shown within one or two weeks of the US airing, but its still not ideal.
Dani, Yorkshire, on August 25th, 2009
I do d/l yes. Like the previous commentor, I have no problem morally with doing so. If I was watching on TV I could vidoetape the eps without consequence. When it comes on TV I watch again. I also am likely to buy what I have previously downloaded. It doesn't affect their finances one bit if I give myself a preview 'illegally'. It is ridiculous that downloading the tv shows is illegal but videotaping them isn't. The only difference is that videotaping is inconvenient and downloading is convenient. I don't like watching series weekly. I like watching an entire series accross a few days. That's just how I like to watch TV.
I do d/l yes. Like the previous commentor, I have no problem morally with doing so. If I was watching on TV I could vidoetape the eps without consequence. When it comes on TV I watch again. I also am likely to buy what I have previously downloaded. It doesn't affect their finances one bit if I give myself a preview 'illegally'. It is ridiculous that downloading the tv shows is illegal but videotaping them isn't. The only difference is that videotaping is inconvenient and downloading is convenient. I don't like watching series weekly. I like watching an entire series accross a few days. That's just how I like to watch TV.
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I download TV programmes (not software, or movies) but only things that are on channels that I have paid for; for example, I download True Blood and Heroes, since I'm too impatient to wait for those. Since I pay for a top subs package for Sky, I feel I am entitled to receive my entertainment that way, as no money is being lost out. I do not agree with advertising on Satellite channels, I already pay for them, therefore I'm not 'stealing money' from advertisers; if they want to waste their money promoting another exciting way to cure thrush, more power to them. I'm not going to buy any of their creams ;)