Buyshifting

Buyshifting is the purchase of programming from the supplier most convenient and/or least expensive for the buyer. Depended on what platform the buyer is using (game console, computer, television), the buyer can gain access to suppliers of tv programs and buy these on demand.

Examples of different platforms could be, Xbox Live and the Xbox Live Marketplace, any PC or Mac and e.g. Amazon Unbox or iTunes Store, and e.g. on to an Apple TV or DirecTV's HR20 for use on a HD-TV (or any other set top box that supports downloaded file formats). Also services as Joost and Brightcove (and others alike) is considered buyshifting product/services, as well as services like Netflix, which offers flatrate rentals of DVDs in your mailbox.

History

Since the introduction of VHS, people has been able to buy tv programming and movies on this medium through physical stores, instead of paying for a single time experience in the cinema of a cable or satellite subscription. Since then, DVDs is now the preferred medium to publish tv programmings on after airing, but today, buyshifting is The New trend among broadcasters, though still in the early stages.

See also

  • Timeshifting
  • Placeshifting