[mythtv-users] XMLTV is Broken in North America

[Shawn]

Well, here's my take.

MythTV is not a HUGE consumer product that will detract from there ad
revenues like TiVo, as it takes more than a novice to get up and running
sufficiently.

Therefore: I don't think they give a flying shit if MythTV sucks data,
so long as it does not load their servers/link down. (10,000 people do
mythfilldatabase at 12:00am).

I think it would be in all our best interest if we create a proxy guide
data service based on XML. Such an infrastructure  could conceivably use
/both/ tv.yahoo.com and zap2it where channel data is unambiguously the
same (I know, it's not 100%). At least something like this would provide
a bit of a buffer when zap2it decides to  be a stank ass bitch about
their website.

Having said that, it might be nice to explore all angles, including some
pay-for service where a company like yahoo might be persuaded to make
XML dumps available for a fee. Regarding zap2it, I just get the feeling
they're going to be bitches about things.

On Tue, 2003-07-01 at 14:54, Jeff Monks wrote:
> > Why not try to push the tv-channels into publishing the listings in
> > xml-format?
> > 
> > It should be in their interest to make the information available.
> 
> It's not really in the network's interest to publish information for us to 
> use.  They HATE digital recording, as it's devaluing their advertising 
> model.  The easier it is for someone to set up a Myth box (or other free 
> DVR), the more people are going to do it, and the less control the 
> networks have.
> 
> Now, it might be possible to convince zap2it or TV Guide or Yahoo or 
> somebody to provide the information for a fee.  As long as it's less than 
> what Tivo charges, I'd be happy with that.  
> 
> It should be noted that, technically, the listings those sites provide 
> aren't "free" - they're ad-supported, and since XMLTV users aren't seeing 
> the ads, it's no surprise they don't want us leeching the listings.  The 
> thing to do would be to try to open a dialogue now, before we start 
> getting any real animosity toward us.  
> 
> Anyone have any idea how to go about negotiations between a corporation 
> and a nebulous, ever-changing group of computer users?
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> mythtv-users mailing list
> mythtv-users at snowman.net
> http://lists.snowman.net/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users