There are some great international TV shows made in places like the UK or Australia. But as an American nothing beats American TV. I have been living internationally for over 3 years now and it's an absolute nightmare trying to stay up with my favourite TV shows legally.
While some American TV shows are up to date with the local cable providers many great shows are either years behind their current season or not shown at all. The perfect example is The Walking Dead.
Half way through it's second season it has yet to air in certain places like Australia. You want to know the ONLY way to see it? Yep you guessed it. These broadcasting companies in the US want to stop piracy yet they don't even make it available to an ever increasing global market.
People in Western countries around the world have 2 choices. Either they do not watch a show everybody is talking about until the US broadcasting company finally sells the rights to air to a local broadcaster in the country or they have to DL illegally. Which option do you think they are going to choose?
Now I understand alot goes into a decision on selling the airing rights to premiere shows. I also know alot of money is be had both ways and that negoiating a deal is not as easy as it should be. However, these companies are shooting themselves in the foot. Just recently Fox broadcasting announced they will be airing season 1 of the Walking Dead sometime in 2012 in Australia....on a station you have to pay extra for. whippee doo I don't care now!! Too bad everybody who wanted to see it already has and now no longer cares about seeing it on TV or paying a cable provider for that TV station.
If companies want to stop losing money to piracy internationally they need to start making their shows current with air dates in the US. You can't expect someone to not download their favorite TV show if its never going to air on TV or will air but not until 2 years after the original air date.
These US broadcasters need to stop trying to squeeze local broadcasters for every penny and sell the rights to air either the same day or week as the US or watch all of their potential international customers get it for free online...
The same goes for the local broadcasters in country. Pony up some more dough to get the rights to the best TV shows or watch your customers cancel their cable subscriptions because they can get better/newer shows online for free.....
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