Yes Chicken Little, The Windows are Collapsing

Making news for like the thirtieth day in a row, TiVo, along with ReplayTV, have confirmed that they will be including technology in future versions of their DVRs that will limit both the amount of time pay-per-view (PPV) movies will be saved as well as the number of times a movie can be watched. (see article)

This move was likely at the behest of both cable and satellite companies, as well as the studios themselves. In the everchanging ecosystem that digital technology is laying waste to, content is become available and flexible -- movement of pristine copies between viewing and storage devices -- in a way that makes content providers and distributors nervous.

Never before have consumers had the opportunity to control and maintain a library of quality content and the toll takers are reasonably nervous. What we are witnessing through this effort, various legislation, and other technical tools is the battle between content provider and content consumer and who will control the consumption of said content. With DRM, storage and transmission costs dropping is that providers will seek to provide controlled consumption across an array of pricing plans. What we should see - albeit in a number of years -- is the eradication between alternative post-theatrical windows: there won't be "home video," "PPV," "VOD," "rental," "purchase." Instead, consumers will choose how much they are willing to pay for what type of access (one-time, temporary, permanent) and how soon that access will available.

Pity the providers who are comfortable with today's business model and not preparing adequately for tomorrow.