Radio Berkman 122: NBC vs. the Pirates

Published: May 21, 2012, 10:05 p.m.

When NBC took its programming off of iTunes in 2007, part of their motivation may have been to reduce the proliferation of their content in digital form. Well, recent research shows that the takedown may have directly resulted in a spike in piracy of their content. Research from the i-Lab at Carnegie Mellon University shows that after the NBC takedown, requests for NBC content on pirate networks grew by 11.5%. What happened to piracy when they put the content back up on iTunes a year later? And what lessons should the industry take from this experience? David Weinberger speaks to researchers Michael Smith and Rahul Telang about the results of their study. And how does big media learn from piracy and the culture of transparency on the web? Journalist and new media expert Daisy Whitney speaks to Daniel Dennis Jones about how big media and new media are learning to get along. The Reference Section: • Follow the work of the iLab • Follow Daisy Whitney’s work, and her shows TWiM and New Media Minute • Read up on iLab’s recently released report on piracy and NBC Converting Pirates Without Cannibalizing Purchasers: The Impact of Digital Distribution on Physical Sales and Internet Piracy CC-licensed music this week: Morgantj – Café Connection General Fuzz – Cream J Lang – Crazy Love