• by Wayne Friedman , March 31, 2006

In the continuing drive by media companies to make on-demand video deals, NBC Universal has joined CBS in becoming the second network to agree to have its programs air on Comcast's On Demand video on demand service.

Yesterday's announcement comes at the same time Comcast Corp. is considering still more alternative means of accessing video on demand--including a new digital video recording service that can replace DVR boxes. Cablevision is working on a new DVR service--something that Comcast executives support.

Cable companies have already moved in this direction with some technology. Comcast's On Demand service already gives customers some DVR functionality--customers can play, fast-forward, rewind, pause, and restart programming for up to 24 hours after purchase. Time Warner also has a similar new service with DVR functions--Start Over, which is running in some test markets.

NBC Universal shows will be available on Comcast's On Demand after midnight of their regular TV airings. NBC's prime-time shows will be available for 99 cents. Shows will include commercials from their TV airings. This is similar to CBS's deal.

In a new twist on VOD-network deals, some shows will be available free of charge. This includes shows on NBC's late night and daytime, NBC owned-and-operated stations, USA Network, Sci-Fi Channel, and Bravo. These shows will include commercials.

Like CBS, NBC's shows will only be available in those markets where NBC owns stations. This will avoid breaching non-owned CBS or NBC station affiliates' exclusive agreements of primetime shows. NBC owns stations in markets including New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Washington, and Miami.

The shows include NBC's "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "The Office," "Las Vegas," and "Conviction;" USA Network's "Monk;" Sci-Fi Channel's "Battlestar Galactica," and "Ghost Hunters;" Bravo's "Celebrity Poker Showdown;" NBC's late night shows, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" and " Late Night with Conan O'Brien;" and NBC's daytime shows, "Passions."

CBS's deal with Comcast, earlier this year, became the first VOD deal between a broadcast network and a cable operator. CBS's deal with Comcast is more limited than NBC's--for just four of its prime-time network shows.

Concerning the new DVR service proposed by Cablevision, Comcast Chief Operating Officer Stephen Burke said: "It's a great idea. I applaud it." He was speaking at the Bank of America Media, Telecommunications and Entertainment Conference in New York yesterday.

Cablevision said its new service called RS-DVR (remote-storage digital video recorder) would help cut costs, which includes installing DVR boxes in cable homes.