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  1. Siggi
  2. Sherlock Holmes The Voice Vanity Monster
  3. Batwoman.tv General
  4. Monday, 18 November 2019
This might not be a new discussion, but over the last months I stumbled upon more and more borders in the Internet.
The new Batwoman TV show is a good example for this.
The CW TV site:
"Due to licensing restrictions this content is only available in the U.S."

Every US citizen can watch it on the CW on sundays. Every US citizen can stream the new episode (and all others) one day after that.
It seems that Canadians can watch it on their TV already as well.
Well, I don't live in Canada or in the US. Why the hell is there no "official" way for me to watch the show now?
I don't know about these "licensing restrictions", but why can't people all over the world use that streaming service?
It would be ok, if there would be german ADs... in my case. I would use it, they could earn money with me watching it. But nooooo....they don't seem to want that.
I would even pay to use that streaming service! Not an option!
I would buy the single episodes on Amazon or someplace else...but no, not possible!
All these options don't exist for me. Why?
It seems to be that this show is "reserved" for the new streaming service HBO Max which starts sometime next year.
But is that even coming to germany? And if yes...I guess several months/years later than in the US?
There are so many restrictions lately.
So what can I do? Wait for a german (often badly) synched version in a couple of months/half a year/ whenever? I would like the original version!
Or wait until the Blu-ray of season 1 comes out? Which would be in 10-12 months from now. I won't wait that long.....to watch it for the first time. (And I will pre-order that as soon it is available)

Some more examples:
I might be interested in the DC universe streaming service:
"SORRY, THIS SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE IN THE US. WE'LL ANNOUNCE WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR REGION."

I would like to order stuff @ the US WarnerBrothers Shop:
"This item ships to the USA and Canada."

I would like to order stuff @ at the shop of USSoccer, available countries in the selection:
"United States"
(And I had ordered stuff there in the past, it was possible to get it elsewhere)
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In my logic .....if I sell or offer something....wouldn't I want to offer that to as many people as possible?
I don't get it.
Maybe you guys have some explanations?
http://www.maskripper.org
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[my Blog about masked women in movies, TV, cosplay and comics]
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A little update:
Batwoman will be shown in my country (germany) on Amazon Prime, starting on December 20th with the first 8 episodes. English and german audio will be available. No information so far on when the other episodes will be available.
As I am only interested in the ones with english audio, I hope that they might release the next years episodes very soon after they hit the CW app.
But glad that there will be an "official" way for me to watch the show soon.
I guess I will rewatch all 8 episodes just before christmas on 2 days ;)
http://www.maskripper.org
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[my Blog about masked women in movies, TV, cosplay and comics]
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@Siggi,

See the last line of my prior post. The CW app is a US-only distribution. We don't get it here in Canada either. Although we do get the traditional / digital CW channel (depending on the local cable company packages offered), it is costly. This is why Canada airs it simultaneously on a locally controlled corporate network. Deals were secured for broadcasting U.S. shows long ago (as far back as 1962, actually) and involves large sums of money being exchanged and back-room deals being made.

As for other physical / digital transmissions / Internet streaming products (for example: Computer apps, items from the WB store, DVDs and region coding, other merchandising, etc.), digital domain controls, shipping rates and politics have a lot to do with it. Also, customs and duties levies are steep (even to neighbouring countries such as Canada or Mexico) for merchandise. I agree that there should be no border fees or Internet restrictions (like within the EU), but much of the world does not operate on these principles. It is straight capitalism at its base form.

In reality, it's all about market control and distribution deals. The EU has their own set of rules for this, the US-Canada-Mexico agreement also has its own set of rules, the Asian countries have their own way of doing things as well.

Don't feel hard done by or mistreated, it's simply how huge television and movie - actually, all types of business - corporations normally work. They simply prioritise who gets what, when, how and where. Never mind the reasons why, simply because there is little to no practical logic when it comes to huge corporate business dealings. It is strictly business and politics (although not synonymous, they do tend to work in tandem).
"Dance Of The Clairvoyants" - Pearl Jam, from the CD/LP/Download Gigaton. (2020)
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^ That all sounds plausible, the local TV markets are different, but still I would like to know why for example the CW app isn't availabe for all countries.(and often products in general like my examples above)
Wouldn't they make MORE money if more people would watch it and thereby the ADs and so on?
I feel somehow "badly" threated if I can't access shows/products that others can access.
That are borders were they shouldn't be any.
http://www.maskripper.org
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[my Blog about masked women in movies, TV, cosplay and comics]
  1. more than a month ago
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Siggi,

To answer that question succinctly: It's all about the revenue deals that can be made and when. The U.S. views Canada as a "domestic" market (despite a border, different broadcast regulations and the like).

The International market is normally slower to pick up on new US-produced products due to various restrictions (anything from licencing/televising agreements to dubbing/translating) and overall international interest in the product in question.

The other factor at play here is the LGBTQ angle being promoted (more so than SG or LOT) which may or may not affect if/when the product becomes available in certain territories. This particular show may not be picked up quickly in more conservative markets (i.e. Middle East or Asia) due to moral standards.

Also worth noting, it might be picked up by other territories after its full season has officially run (as in France, for example). Some territories buy the products only after the season or show has concluded in order for it to be shown in its entirety and not episode by episode.

The bottom line is exactly that: Money and agreements.
"Dance Of The Clairvoyants" - Pearl Jam, from the CD/LP/Download Gigaton. (2020)
  1. more than a month ago
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