DRM on PPV

Dish to begin DRM on PPV May 6th

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Pay-Per-View (PPV) Services Subject to Digital Rights Management

DISH Network has been asked to comply with industry standards which require us to make some changes to our Pay-Per-View (PPV) services. These standards apply to ALL TV-service providers and are not unique to DISH Network.

These new standards will only affect some PPV movies that are recorded on or after May 6, 2008 by DISH Network subscribers. Any movies or events recorded by DISH Network customers before May 6, 2008 will not be affected.

How do these new standards affect PPV movie services effective May 6, 2008?

• Limited Recording – The amount of time PPV movies can be kept on a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) will be restricted.

24-hour window – Once customers begin to playback a recorded PPV movie from their DVR, they have 24 hours to pause and finish watching it, and may also watch it for an unlimited number of times within that period (if the entire 24-hour period is within the license window of the movie – please refer to the “License Window” section below for more information).

After the 24-hour window – After the 24-hour time period, customers will be able to see the title of the movie in the “My Recordings” section of their DishDVR, but will not be able to view it; they will also be prompted to delete the movie/event from their DVR. If the customer does not delete the movie, the title will remain in “My Recordings” but customers will not be able to view it.

• License Window – The license window is the length of time that a movie may air on PPV. License window time durations differ but average between 3 to 6 months. A movie with limited recording will not be available to view once the license window is over.

If the license window expires before DVR playback begins, the customer will not able to view the recording, and will be prompted to delete the movie.

• External Hard Drive – If a customer moves a movie to their external hard drive, DRM restrictions still apply.

I know some people will get all bent out of shape about this but Direct TV had to do the same thing not too long ago. I think the key part to remember is once you start watching a PPV event/movie recording you have 24 hours to finish it.

as a paying customer I hate this because I should own the right to watch it whenever I feel fit (whenever have time)

but as a business owner, this is a smart idea to stop fraud

That is why I go to Blockbuster which offers a better selection of movies and time allowances. Dish charges $4.99 for a PPV movie and their selection sucks. DRM is going to hurt PPV in the long run. There have been many times when I have had a movie viewing interrupted and not completed in 24 hours. I have not not purchased a PPV from Dish in 2 years and don't (won't) plan on doing so.

Does anyone know if this will affect events, such as, Ultimate Fighting Championships PPV, or does it apply only to PPV movies?

yes, it goes for ALL PPV, not just movies