Corvallis picks up On Demand

Comcast service brings movies, TV shows to viewers by request through cable box, remote

By: Daniel Acee

Posted: 5/14/08

On April 15, Comcast brought a new digital cable service to Corvallis subscribers.

It had been a much anticipated addition to Comcast's current services, especially for students who had previously used it in other parts of Oregon.

"I always enjoyed going back to my parents' house in Salem for breaks [Winter, Spring], because they have On Demand, and we didn't down here for so long," said Jessica McNannay, a junior in business administration and Comcast digital cable subscriber.

A Comcast representative explained how the new service works and what it offers.

A digital cable subscriber gets many different features from On Demand. The most popular are movies and TV shows.

Networks such as MTV and E! Entertainment offer pre-recorded programs that subscribers can view at any time. In addition, viewers can pause, rewind and fast forward these programs. Also, if the subscriber stops watching the program it will start where they left off last time.

"It [On Demand] doesn't have all the shows I want to watch, like Oprah or Ellen," McNannay said. "But it has shows from MTV and E! that I like a lot and they are usually the newest episodes too."

Comcast provides over 200 free movies for subscribers to watch at any time that change throughout each month.

Subscribers can also purchase pay-per-view movies and special programs from $3.99 to $4.99. The purchase lasts for 24 hours and viewers can watch it as many times as they want during that time period.

The pay-per-view rentals include new releases that are available the same day they are available at local retail locations. Also special programs (Sporting Events, Documentaries, etc.) are provided on pay-per-view.

"I like On Demand renting [pay-per-view], I would rather rent a movie on TV because then you don't have to drive," McNannay said.

The pay-per-view service has changed some subscribers' preference for use of video rental services such as Hollywood Video and RedBox.

However, the assistant manager of Hollywood Video on NW 4th St. and NW Harrison Blvd. said he has seen no change in sales or heard of any plans to add features to compete with pay-per-view.

RedBox now offers a service where renters can select a movie online, and it will be held for them at the RedBox until they go to pick it up.

"Most of the movies on there are ones I have already seen," said Tara Vaughn, a senior in human development and family science, and Comcast subscriber. "I use RedBox. It's cheaper; I plan on watching it that night and returning it the next day."

With recent increases in the user choice provided by cable services over the country, questions have arisen among subscribers in Corvallis about cable companies offering individual channel subscriptions.

In an article published by The New York Times, Richard Siklos analyzed the legislative battle over buying individual channels as opposed to the packages that they have to choose from now.

Siklos found that the average consumer was too indecisive to choose individual channels. Offering select programs to be viewed at any time (similar to On Demand) is a way to keep packaged channel subscriptions the mainstream institution.

Stephen B. Burke, the chief operating officer of Comcast, also contends that people are most comfortable paying for subscription services they can rely on at a set price, even if they don't consume every minute or inch of it - whether the subscription is to a cable service or Time magazine, as stated in Siklos' article.

Legislative battles have been ongoing about the topic of selling individual channels for the past few years. It has been between large cable providers, media moguls and concerned consumers.

Although there is no end in sight for a verdict on the situation, with the new features provided by Comcast On Demand, it will give Corvallis subscribers, and cable viewers everywhere, more freedom of choice.

Daniel Acce, senior reporter

news@dailybarometer.com, 737-2231