We already know that “Game of Thrones” is the most illegally downloaded show of 2012, while “Dexter” was the most illegally downloaded show of last year, but what about legal downloads? You might be surprised to find out that the most legally downloaded show on iTunes in the United States is actually a British show: “Doctor Who.” It does make some sense, given the popularity of the show in the U.S., the relative lack of access to BBC America and the fact that BBC America has that horrible Amy Pond intro and cuts several minutes of each episode to make room for commercials. “Doctor Who” is not a show that should be edited for time. Note, too, that “Sherlock Holmes” has been at the top of the download list on iTunes since it debuted a few weeks ago, meaning that Stephen Moffat is kind of the kind of iTunes.
“Game of Thrones,” somewhat surprisingly, didn’t make the list, but that’s probably because it wasn’t released until December of last year (which is probably why it was number two on the illegally downloaded list last year, because those without HBO have no other way to access it). I was surprised to see another British show in the top 10, “Top Gear,” and also pleasantly surprised to see that “Archer” was number nine on the list. “Archer” not only has a huge following online, but a huge following that actually appreciates the show enough to pay for it. It helps, too, that episodes are released after each is aired instead of being released all at once after the season has ended.
Here’s the entire top 10 Most Popular Legally Downloaded TV Series from ITunes, and remember folks, if you want to continue to see quality television, you have to pay for quality television.
1. Doctor Who
2. Modern Family
3. Dexter
4. Breaking Bad
5. True Blood
6. Top Gear
7. Glee
8. Entourage
9. Archer
10. The Walking Dead
(Via)
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Jesus tap-dancing christ HBO business model is asinine. Shut up and let me give you u my money!
HBO Exec: No, no. You can give us your money but, it will be on OUR terms. No negotiations!
HBO’s what? 10 bucks a month. If it includes HBOGo that’s a great deal. I like the whole “pay a monthly fee and get unlimited access to all of our shit” business model.
That’s $10 on top of what, another $100+ cable bill?
Yeah that’s fair too. Cable bills are getting outrageous.
I do greatly enjoy HBOGo, finally was able to watch Deadwood. I think the HBO package I have is worth the cost, at least for the time being.
If you already have cable, I’m pretty much of the belief that HBO-to-Go is superior to Netflix now, especially if you have a backlog of HBO shows. The movie choices are definitely better.
What’s the difference between HBOGo and just using Xfinity’s online viewing?
Yeah I’m a poor college student and to acquire the minimal cable package necessary to get HBO would cost me almost $100 a month
“Here’s the entire top 10 Most Popular Legally Downloaded TV Series from ITunes, and remember folks, if you want to continue to see quality television, you have to pay for quality television.”
What if we’re not willing to pay for them online, but are willing to watch commercials online? I’ll buy a physical of TV shows I like so I can watch them on the big TV or at a friend’s place, but I’ll rarely pay for a digital copy of anything. It’d have to be this obscure (basically I won’t find the album at Best Buy) yet awesome band’s CD or some ultra badass porno.
You have a big TV?!?!
It’s in a white van.
Man’s got to have a code right?
Relieved after checking that #6 is real Top Gear and not the the US shit sandwich.
Word.
Legally downloaded?
Does not compute.
Top Gear is some if the finest damn television ever put on the air. The original British one that is. It is by far one of the best shows in Netflix’s collection.
No CBS shows?!?!!
My parents have a hard enough time navigating to their web mail account let alone downloading TV shows.
When CBS shows get really popular, they don’t stream them on CBS.com.
That was a non-sequittor to point out that CBS is playing by their own rules and still winning.
I’ve always heard Top Gear was good, even if you weren’t a fan of shows about cars. Still, can’t bring myself to watch it. I’m bigoted that way.
One of the things that made me fall for this show is that they DO NOT kiss corporate auto maker ass. They give brutally honest reviews of cars and have a lot of fun with doing stunts with the fancy ones. Like the time they had Bugatti Veryon race a Jet Fighter. Or watch the episode with the self parking lexus (its in the ep description) That shit was hilarious.
Does anyone else catch these (Dr Who, Holmes) on PBS? Sure, you’re a series behind – but lack of commercials is goddamn wonderful
Netflix has the goods for me. They have Sherlock, MI5, Luther, Dr Who, Top Gear etc