A recent study suggests that downloading is more along the lines of sampling ... like watching a show on television or listening to music on the radio. Only in this case, the downloader literally has the world at their fingertips and has the ability to get 'advanced' copies if they so chose. If a consumer were thinking of spending money on CDs or DVDs, they would eventually ... much like the notion if someone is going to steal, they're going to do it anyway. - it's always the few bad apples that ruin it for everyone.
This is what I believe; Downloaders (the good ones) are a group of people who fall into the trend watchers and trend setters catagory - a kind of media watch when it comes to film and television. They're the kind of people that need to be in the know of what's going on before anyone else does. They care about the quality of the product and determine if it is worth the public's time and money. When it comes to advertising and promotion, what these people say - via the blogsphere and word of mouth - is far more valuable because 8 times out of 10, no one pays them to say it.
So if someone says good things about a certain show; People will be intrigued to see it when it airs ... and not be coerced into waiting the 3 hours for the episode to download (they have lives you know!) ... or (like me) wait till it's on DVD and buy it. (Example: I haven't seen a single episode of VERONICA MARS as it doesn't air in Canada anymore but have heard great things about it - so, I pre-ordered online for the complete first 2 seasons coming out August 22).
If the product is good, it hits a certain 'cult-like' status in the consciousness of the trend setting audience - or in this case - the downloaders. The Downloaders - because they are computer/ internet/ tech savvy folk - relay their discovery to the world via blogs, chat sites, and the occasional word of mouth. Piqued interest from the general populous creates buzz, and if what those downloaders are saying is true, you have a following in a territory.
I buy DVDs ... to the tune of about $2000 annually according to my accountant. My complaint is the price of DVDs - but that's a different post altogether.
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