Nickelodeon, Catoon Network latest VOD combatants

Seeing as how I've been blogging about the developments in the network TV VOD space, I was thrilled to learn that Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network are selling digitized versions of some of their most popular shows. I was impressed with the fact that several top shows are being offered.

Unfortunately, I find the major flaw of this offering to be that the videos will reportedly only work on Hasbro's VuGo media player. The rate for this latest pay-per-view model is also $2.99 per episode, which is a little high-end for most kids. It's not anything a kid who's parents have TiVo or other PVR/DVR couldn't do anyway, but it's not topping my list of best-conceived business plans. So while I'm not in favor of using such a model, seeing the limited device support and elevated pricing as inferior to the de facto "standard" put forth by ABC, CBS and NBC, at least the two networks stay true to the VOD concept.

As corollaries to this rant, I also read-up on HBO On Demand this morning and wasn't pleased with their implementation. I'm additionally wondering if AOL's-WB's new In2TV service will pressure Nick At Nite /TVLand to offer older episodes for download, just to stay relevant.