This whole thing started out with NBC unhappy about the price they were getting from Apple for downloads of their TV shows on iTunes. Apple said we're charging $1.99 per episode for NBC shows on demand to which NBC said, uh, I don't think so. Apple accused NBC of demanding "more than double the wholesale price" to which Apple told NBC, uh, I don't think so. This of course was denied by NBC. No NBC shows. No iTunes. Now, NBC is making downloads available of those same shows for f-r-e-e, every one's favorite price except for Apple...
The only price to download shows like "Heroes", "The Office", "30 Rock", "Friday Night Lights", "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" and "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - even the new "Bionic Woman" is watching a commercial which cannot be fast forwarded but hey, it's free. The sponsor is happy and so is the consumer as long as they don't have too many Geico commercials. NBC Direct will start in beta mode in October but consumers can only download shows for one week after the show airs and only on computers running Microsoft Windows. NBC plans on expanding its service for everyone (including Mac) and eventually shows will be available for the whole season...
The thought occurs to me that hi-tech is expanding so rapidly that TiVo and VCR's are on their way to extinction to be replaced with one unit (already available) that has everything (computer, DVD, iPod, MP3 and a recording device) and in every configuration. It will have everything but a radio...
10 Timeline Memories:
- 1921] Premiered on this date: KDKA in Pittsburgh starts one of the first daily newscasts on U.S. radio...1952] TV debuts include: "The Jackie Gleason Show" (18 years)...1953] "The Loretta Young Show" (8 seasons)...1975] The Bay City Rollers make their U.S. debut on the premiere of what was originally called "Saturday Night Live", hosted by Howard Cosell (one season)...1976] "The Captain & Tennille Show" (one season but "Love Will Keep (It) Together"): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEWU25aN67U ...1984] "The Cosby Show" (led the pack for 8 seasons). Stevie Wonder sings "I Just Called To Say I Love You" in this episode: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YxY3JCNauw ...
- 1947] "Happy Trails": Former New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia is the victim of pancreatic cancer at 64...1973] 30-year old singer Jim Croce is killed in a small plane crash in Louisiana. Croce was on his way to a concert in Sherman (TX). Here's a video of Jim and his family with one of his biggest hits, "Time In A Bottle": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtfI54okNZE ...
- 1962] Blacked out: Black student James Meredith (a transfer student from Jackson State) is refused entrance to the University of Mississippi by Governor Ross R. Barnett. Meredith was later admitted by court order and graduated from "Ol' Miss" in 1963...
- 1969] Taking care of Beatle Biz: Associated TV buys control of the Beatles' publishing company Northern Songs for a couple of million dollars. What were the Beatles thinking???
- 1972] Get a whiff of that: Police find cannabis growing on the farm of Paul and Linda McCartney. Paul says it must of been the birds that dropped the seeds. Well they were flying high...
- 1973] Battle of the sexes: Billie Jean King (30) beats Bobby Riggs (55) in a grudge tennis match at the Houston Astrodome. King whipped Riggs in straight sets...
- 1976] From Jimmy with lust: Playboy releases the Jimmy Carter interview in which he's quoted as saying "I've looked at a lot of women with lust. I've committed adultery in my heart many times". How come Clinton didn't think of this instead of 'it depends on what your definition of 'is' is...
- 1982] NFL hits the bricks: NFL players begin a 57-day strike, the first in-season strike in NFL history. The season is reduced to a 9-game schedule, instead of 16 and a special playoff tournament is used prior to the Super Bowl...
- 1998] 'The Streak' (boogety boogety) ends: After playing in a record 2,632 consecutive games over 16 seasons, Cal Ripken Jr. of the Orioles sits out a game...
- 2001] Color-coded: President Bush addresses a joint session of Congress regarding the 911 attacks and names Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge to head up the new Office of Homeland Security. Ridge wears an orange tie to match his code Orange shirt but brings a red shirt and tie, just in case...
Music Memories:
- 1964] Curtains: The Beatles wrap up their 1st U.S. tour with a date at the New York Paramount in front of 3,682 screaming 'Beatlemaniacs'...1971] Peter Frampton leaves Humble Pie to pursue a solo career...
- 1975] Released on this date: "Born To Run" - Bruce Springsteen...
Commentary...
Bob Sherwood sent me an e-mail this morning that will be of interest to CBS Records alumni. Former CBS Records New York Branch Manager Ron Piccolo, now living in Florida has entered a Miami hospital for major surgery. Those of us who know 'Pic' hope that he pulls through so he can get back on the golf course. For those interested in additional info, please e-mail me (mphillips1675@yahoo.com)...
"Happy Birthday...happy birthday":
Gunnar and Matthew Nelson (40), Kristen Johnston (40), Red Sox owner John W. Henry (58), Sophia Loren (73), Anne Meara (78), Joyce Brothers (79) and Gogi Grant (83)...
Timeline Countdown: 3 days until autumn in New York, 13 days until the MLB playoff openers and 34 days until the World Series opener...
