iView is excellent
Australian ABC’s new iView internet service, in which they offer good-quality streaming flash video of most of their interesting shows, is fantastic. ABC is Australia’s tax-funded government broadcasting system; it’s generally pretty good.
This is exactly what I want ABC to be doing with my tax dollars. We pay for all this content to be made, it should be available free to everyone on the net, in good quality, at any time. This first version is an excellent start. It’s still a bit slow and the quality could be better, but I’m sure that will come in time. Much better than the BBC’s “iPlayer” application. Now hopefully they will drastically increase not only the quality but the range and back catalogue, and add more download options.
Now if only SBS would offer something similar - that is the only other channel worth watching on Australian television and as soon as they do so I won’t be able to see much point owning a television at all.
Check it out if you’re interested in watching Australian taxpayer-funded TV programming. ABC News, 4 Corners and Foreign Correspondent are best for news. If you’re after comedy, the Chaser is currently on break but The Gruen Transfer is high quality.
Oh, and it’s unmetered for iiNet : ) Internode to unmeter it soon too, apparently.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:17 pm
“Sorry
Due to copyright reasons this video program is available for download by people located in Australia only. If you are not located in Australia, you are not authorised to view this video.”
Huh.
August 5th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Shit. Well, that sucks. Sorry - I had no idea. Was it for all programs, or just some?
If it was for all, then copyright reasons my ass. I could understand The Bill or whatever being limited in their redistribution rights. But the ABC news and current affairs programs? They are made in-house. They should not be copyright at all, IMO, since they are made solely with taxpayer money.
Hope they change that soon - I spend a lot of my time outside of AU and you bet I’ll want to keep up with Australian news there. I’ll definitely send them a nasty email about this and encourage anyone else outside Australia to do the same.
Max Breaker - if you’re reading - can you access it from JP? If not, would you consider writing them an email demanding equal access to the service - use the word “demand”. You’re a fucking taxpayer, you should have the same access I do. I will draft it if you want, this is bullshit.
August 19th, 2008 at 12:53 am
I most definitely cannot access it from here! Sucks!
August 19th, 2008 at 12:55 am
Here’s the forum thread though…
http://www2b.abc.net.au/tmb/Client/Message.aspx?b=81&m=23315&ps=20&dm=1&pd=3