Content is king, so Adobe Media Player doesn't rule, OK?

Stephen Withers
Friday, 20 June 2008 11:58

Opinion and Analysis

Sure, there's a fair amount of vodcast-style content (some of which appears in the catalog but doesn't play), plus some public broadcaster segments, but where's the big-name stuff?

So I checked with Adobe's PR firm, and this was the response:

"Currently the content is only available in the US and unfortunately we don't have dates for availability in Australia yet."

Then why promote the content internationally?

I know this isn't specific to Adobe. Services such as Veoh and Joost run into the same problem, as does the iTunes Store and other downloadable content outlets. But the archaic system of geographical rights that served producers well in the past only causes ill-feeling among the online community and encourages the use of 'Channel B' (BitTorrent), which I would have thought is the last thing rightsholders want.

Jim Guerard, vice president of dynamic media at Adobe, said "With Adobe Media Player, we are helping to redefine next-generation TV experiences. With over 400 shows including new popular programs such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Colbert Report, it's clear that we're spurring a seismic shift in how content is distributed and consumed."

Hey Jim, try looking outside your backyard and you'll see that you're doing no such thing.