BLOW UP YOUR TV

A few weeks ago, I ran across a website offering free television over the internet. TVU networks is a service that enables Broadcasters to reach global audiences. Using a technology similar to peer-to-peer file sharing, it provides free channels from around the world as well as pay channels and pay-per-view events. Contrary to what you might expect, it's completely legal, authorized and supported by the Broadcasters who are contributing their programming.

You can download the player here:

http://www.tvunetworks.com/

The player has three screen sizes;

4 inch so it can run in a corner window while you write, email or blog;
8 inch and full screen

The channels change from time to time, but usually I have the option of up to three different NHL games most nights, many from cities not offered locally. Same with the NBA, Premier League Soccer, even full coverage of "The Ashes" if you're into Cricket. CBC put up the Grey Cup game a couple of Sundays ago and I caught all the blame game fun on FoxNews during the US mid-term elections; something I couldn't have done in Canada without paying extra for the channel.

That's another thing that's unique about this -- there's everything from Cable Access Manila to HBO movies or a single evening broadcast of "X-Men 3".

Tonight, among my options are:

Local channels from France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Taiwan.
A handful of music channels
Nickleodeon
Telemundo
Comedy Central (US)
A couple of movie channels
A half dozen Asian channels
NHL 1, 2, 3.
YES (NY Sports Net)
MSNBC
CNN
USA Network
NBC
CBS
FOX
FOXNEWS
ESPN
ESPN2
Channel 10 Australia

and my favorite...

Traffic in Shanghai

I'm sure the quality depends on your ISP and local bitrate, but even full screen it's watchable.

This is just another example of the way the Broadcast world is changing and the evolving options the audience has to meet its own needs. It's also proof that local broadcast regulators will have their hands full controlling what people see and hear from now on.

Give it a try. If the CRTC does decide to bump cable rates, maybe this can offset whatever you dump to save money.