TV Execs hate Hulu

It is no secret that Hulu exists for one reason only - television companies are more afraid of an Apple iTunes monopoly than anything else. But it is still disconcerting to see comments like these from a Dish TV executive which disparage the service as "destroying the industry".

...broadcasters should instead reserve catchup episodes for authenticated TV Everywhere services, and only make them available freely after 30 days. “If people decide that they don’t have to pay for pay TV, then one of the pillars (of the TV industry) starts crumbling,” he said.

The reality is that Hulu isn't destroying the old TV industry, history is. It is now possible to deliver video directly via the internet, on-demand, and that will eventually allow us all to bypass cable and broadcast television. The question isn't how to stop the process, it is how to profit from it.

Just ask NetFlix. Build a better mousetrap and the world STILL will beat a path to your door.

Google TV - Your television with a keyboard

At their annual Google I/O conference, Google announced yesterday their new TV software called GoogleTV. The new product is designed to integrate your television with the Web in such a way that you can easily search for programs (using Google search, of course) and view them on the air, on your integrated DVR, or on the web (at Google-owned YouTube, of course). The new system will be available integrated into televisions or as stand-alone boxes.

The new devices will require a keyboard for input, raising the question, "If you're going to need a keyboard to interact with your television anyway, why not just hook up a cheap computer instead?" It will be interesting to see if it catches on, or is relegated to a "hobby" like Apple's AppleTV device.

Clone Wars, Season 2 premieres tonight

As a certifiable Star Wars freak, I could not let this pass without comment. If you prefer the iTunes store, it is available there, too.

Supremes decline to kill Cable DVRs

Television and movie companies have always been nervous about consumer recording systems. There was a huge fight over the VCR - which the studios lost. Then, a battle over putting television shows online. Now, the studios are trying to kill network cable DVRs. But the Supreme Court has refused to hear a case that could have shut them down entirely.

The justices declined to hear arguments on whether Cablevision Systems Corp.'s remote-storage DVR system would violate copyright laws. The end to the closely watched case allows the Bethpage, N.Y.-based company to proceed with plans to start deploying the technology this summer.

With remote storage, TV shows are kept on the cable operator's servers instead of a machine inside the customer's home, as systems offered by TiVo Inc. and cable operators currently do.

The distinction is important because a remote system essentially transforms every digital set-top box in the home into a DVR, allowing customers to sign up instantly, without the need to pick up a DVR from the nearest cable office or wait for a technician to visit.

It is always a bad thing to fight the future, because it is coming whether you like it or not. Here's hoping this decision - or lack thereof - forces television and movie studios to engage digital device makers to bring about the best experience for consumers, while keeping things profitable for artists.

Smallville "Metropolis" movie on the way

This one is just a rumor that Smallville fans like CRChair may find partiularly interesting. Is the CW preparing for a transition from "Smallville" to a full-fledged Superman show?

Other info this untested source sent us suggests "Metropolis" is a movie-length project, and not a new series.

Word is “Smallville” will conclude its 9-year run May 2010, so it makes sense that the CW would tack on a couple more production hours up there in Canada to make a Superman TV-movie that would run seven or so months after the series’ conclusion.

Changing from a Pre-Superman to a Post-Superman show would give the CW a chance to change cast members, and perhaps even show-runner, without alienating existing fans. Might be a way to preserve an audience for a totally new show. It could be an interesting experiment.

Nomad is Right...Again.

Nomad was right again with his prediction that the congress would delay the digital television change over. The Senate voted unanimously last night to delay the change over until June. Television stations will be allowed to change if they are ready, but will not be forced to until June. One of the main factors is that the Coupon program to help Americans buy digital converter boxes has run out of money, so this will give congress time to reallocate money to that fund. It will be interesting to see if this changeover happens this year.

This is cute: MY NO TV

This is a cute anti-TV screed. I don't entirely agree, but I think it is worth thinking deeply about.

We have a No TV in our living room.

Sometimes I think it’s our most valuable possession.

Our No TV gives the whole family somewhere between one and six extra hours every day. It’s hard to add hours to a day, but the No TV does it.

I do wonder if with the digital TV conversion coming February 2009, more people will decide to forego TV than upgrade.

Clues to the Live Action Star Wars TV Show

I don't know about other Mod-Bloggers, but I still love Star Wars. I enjoyed the admittedly imperfect prequels, I loved the Clone Wars cartoons, and I still read an Expended Universe novel from time to time. I also have hopes for the announced CGI and live action television shows. Now, some new details may have been leaked about the shows.

- The live action and animated shows will be considered official canon of the star wars universe...
- The seasons for the live action show might be as short as 12 episodes… again…think Sopranos.
- The show is definitely PG-13. I’ve heard it’ll be dark. It’s definitely not being made for kids.
- The Skywalker story is finished. From what I’ve been told, their story is done and they aren’t on the live-action show at all. The show is new characters…with a few people you might know from the movies mixed in here and there.

I am eager to see what more Sir George has for us. I am hoping it can restore the faith of many fans whose love was killed by Jar-Jar Binks.

New Star Wars Movie Announced

A new Star Wars movie was announced today with a theatrical release of August 15, 2008. How can this be you ask? Well it will be an animated movie taking place during the periods between Star Wars Episode II & III. It will be part of a run up to a new animated series that will run on the Cartoon Network & TNT which will also take place during the clone wars portion of the Star Wars time line. No title was given to the new movie yet. George Lucas will be the executive producer, but it will be distributed by Warner Brothers which is also distributing the TV show.

Update 4:22 PM EST: Nomad added trailer

If the Strike ends, will your favorite show return?

It is now looking more and more like the WGA will accept the new deal, returning television and big screen writers to their jobs. The big question up in the air now is, will *MY* favorite show return to the air this year, or simply wait until next season. This list lays out what television studios have revealed to date.

Here's hoping NBC will come to their senses, too, and return to iTunes, so we have choices about where to get our shows.

For the geek who has everything...

I present you the Star Trek the Next Generation: Complete Series DVD set. Is it a grand 6 disk collection? No. Maybe 20 discs with lots of extra features? You're almost half way. No, it's a 49 disk set with all the features any Star Trek: TNG fan could ever want. I won't be buying this, but I'm sure there's at least one contributor to this site that's at least going to think about it.

Sunday morning talk

I spend a good deal of time on Sunday mornings watching the various Sunday morning political talk shows. Generally I will watch Fox News Sunday, This Week with George Stephanopolis (sp?), and sometimes Meet the Press. I generally enjoy these shows, but I can usually only take two of them before I'm tired of listening to people argue about the same things. I'm curious what the readers of Mod-Blog think about the Sunday morning talkies.

My personal favorite is FNS, though they can be a tad biased on the conservative side, but overall they're pretty balanced. More than once I've seen the host go after a republican or conservative. On the other hand I watch This Week only for George Will's point of view on the round table. I don't trust George S. - he did used to work for Clinton after all.

Anyway, what are the prevailing thoughts out there.

Coolest geeks on TV

I came across this list this morning of the 7 coolest geeks on television. I tend to agree with most of them, though I'm not so sure how much the South Park guys fit into the genre - though the author makes some good points for them. Are there any omissions that you can think of?

GL says, "Two more (TV) Star Wars movies"

Believe it or not, George Lucas is claiming that he has two more Star Wars movies in him! Supposedly, the new ones will be made-for-television, and will NOT be about the Skywalker family. But in a universe as dense with stories as the Star Wars one, there is plenty of room for new stories. Hopefully, they will be on the same quality level as the CLONE WARS cartoons, and not that of the infamous TV Christmas Special.