如果免费下载时代就此结束

国内著名资源下载索引站VeryCD已经删除其视频音频下载链接,意味着完全免费没有版权的下载时代即将终结.与此同时,国内大型门户网站顺势推出其付费收看服务,借机开拓有版权的首播剧市场。

Reporter:

The portal VeryCD's decision to stop free online downloads of unauthorized video and audio files have increased the competition among major portals in China for sales of copyrighted material. Websites like Sohu.com and Youku.com have a greater opportunity to promote fee-based online video services.

Deng Ye, Vice President of Sohu Entertainment Media Division, says the company has invested a lot in purchasing TV dramas and movies with first-run or exclusive-run copyrights.

"We've bought more than ten TV dramas with exclusive running rights on average during the past two years. So far, we've got 30 such dramas already. Each one needs an investment of 10 million yuan."

The investment has rewarded the websites with high viewing rates. Within two months before the end of last year, the popular TV drama "Marriage Battle" was viewed 600-million times on Sohu.com. But at the moment, most online video providers make a profit from advertisements played at the beginning of the videos rather than user fees.

But a small number of websites have already tried to charge fees. For example, Youku.com promises users they can watch online videos an unlimited number of times for only 20 yuan per month.

But for most Chinese netizens who are used to enjoying free online entertainment, fee-based services may be unwelcome.

"I won't watch the first-run TV dramas or movies online since they eventually will air on TV. I love the feeling of expecting to watch several episodes every day on TV. Online watching is not suitable for the whole family to share and talk about the story. The advertisements don't bother me at all since you can also take a rest during the commercials."

"I personally can accept the online service charges, but the prerequisite is they must offer programs with fascinating stories and high-quality images. Most importantly, there must be no commercials. It's very irritating that many sitcoms broadcast on TV always put in lots of advertisements."

Recent statistics indicate the number of online video viewers has reached 265 million, accounting for 63 percent of the country's total number of netizens. The prosperous online video business has also cultivated a new market for film and television drama producers.

Content producers are sharing profit from online broadcasts with major internet portals rather than selling running copyrights to traditional media like TV stations or selling DVD copyrights to publishers. Film Director You Xiaogang says moviemakers in China are now following the new trend in the industry.

"The era of fee-based film watching has arrived, so movie producers need to think about whether they should cooperate with online portals to share profit and risks. For example, should they split the profit fifty-fifty?"

At the same time, some major portals such as Youku.com worry about a rush to charge fees which will irritate users. The portals say they will take steps to introduce fee-based business models, and that it will take a long time for Chinese netizens to get used to paying to watch videos.

For CRI, I'm Liu Min.