Watch Lost Episodes Through XBox Live
The new media age that we’ve moved into is changing the way people watch television. There was a time not too long ago when people would have to watch a show like Lost right as it aired, or possibly record it to a VHS tape to check out later, though the quality would leave something to be desired. Now you can watch new high definition episodes of Lost whenever you want through the power of DVR, or you can simply download what you’ve missed on iTunes. As if there weren’t enough options for those who miss first-run episodes, ABC has recently announced that Lost will start appearing on XBox Live the day after it airs. Episodes will be offered in both standard and high definition, and will be available to all XBox Live members throughout the United States.
Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but there’s still something very special to me about watching a show as it actually airs. I invite friends over, we chat during the commercials, we laugh together, scream together, and analyze everything the instant it’s over. It’s also nice to know that you’re seeing the episode at the same time as millions of other people, and with something like Lost it’s fun to rush to the internet afterwards to see what people are saying about the big twists and turns. I feel like part of that experience is taken away when you DVR shows or download them the following day, but maybe I’m in the minority.
ABC will also be offering their other hit shows to XBox Live customers, such as Grey’s Anatomy, Ugly Betty, and Desperate Housewives. This content should go live by the end of the month, which means it will be just in time for Lost’s season 4 premiere.
Though I may not be a time-shifting type of viewer myself, I do think it’s a good move on ABC’s part to get as much exposure for Lost as possible. Still, I have to wonder how people can possibly have the patience to wait for new episodes, even if they are just waiting until the following day. I’d go insane with anticipation and be terrified to look at anything on the internet for fear of being spoiled. That’s far too nerve-wracking for me, so I’ll still be having my Lost parties every Thursday at 9pm, no matter how many other options ABC throws my way.
I like watching it the day it airs, too. But my area doesn’t broadcast ABC, because it’s too rural. The only way is via cable, then they would show someone else’s local ABC station.
Can’t afford cable, so the next best thing is BitTorrent! Convert those puppies to iPod format, sync it to my iPod, and then the iPod to my TV. What do I get? The next best thing.
However, I lied about it not being being available in my area, I just don’t have the technology yet to receive it. It’s available on a sub-channel in Digital TV, and I’m waiting for the coupon for the converter from the government. Once I receive it, I can view different channels within a channel.
Comment by sk8rpro — January 11, 2008 @ 4:40 pm
I think the majority of people like to watch it the day it airs. I know I do at least, as do you Don. =]
I just think it is nice to know that if you do miss it then you know you can find it somewhere online.
Nice article Don.
Comment by Jimbo08lak — January 11, 2008 @ 6:22 pm
I remember watching the season 3 finale on TV… It is bone-chilling to think that millions of other viewers dropped their jaws at the exactly the same time as I did, about the same thing (the big rattlesnake).
Plus it also more accurately reflects the ratings, and I want LOST to smash all TV records it possibly can over the remaining three seasons.
Comment by Larry — January 11, 2008 @ 8:33 pm
i agree will all of you, it’s like a community thing when we are all watching the show as it’s originally airing at the same time. It would be cool if we didn’t have to deal with the whole time zone issue, and every Lost fan across this wonderful world could watch simultaneously.
Comment by tanside — January 11, 2008 @ 9:52 pm
I also enjoy watching LOST on tv when it airs for the first time…..yet I live in New Zealand and cannot possibly expect to wait for 2 months for and episode when it has allready aired in the states. Therefore I turn to bittorrent…..which takes away a little part of the magic but is a perfect cure for the ‘no LOST blues’.
Comment by oscar — January 12, 2008 @ 12:23 am
dark has new promo photos and a sneak peek from season 4 premeire
http://spoilerslost.blogspot.com
Comment by jenny — January 12, 2008 @ 3:06 am
is it free to watch these episodes?
Comment by peter — January 14, 2008 @ 8:17 am
In response to peter… On xbox live? Hahah, i strongly doubt it. Nothing comes for free on xbox live. It’s Microsoft so they’ll charge you where ever they can.
Comment by steeeeve — January 14, 2008 @ 9:52 am
hahaha,
yeah, i know. it was just wishful thinking. My thinking, though, was along the lines of: “why would anyone pay to download an episode of lost to his xbox, when there’s no chance of watching it anywhere else?” if you download from iTunes, you can put it on an ipod or whatever, but there’s no hope of that on the xbox, and NO ONE on earth owns a zune, i think.
Comment by peter — January 14, 2008 @ 11:48 am
Yeah, that would be the logical way for Microsoft and xBox to go about it but with them, “logic shmogic”. I bet it’ll cost 1000 microsoft points per episode.
Comment by steeeeve — January 15, 2008 @ 12:03 pm
You ’scream together’ ? ….. “niiice”
Comment by LostintheUK — January 15, 2008 @ 4:36 pm
Does anyone know the date that the Lost content will be added to XBOX Live? My hdtv went on the fritz, so I’m waiting the extra day to download them in hd from xbox live. I don’t think I will ever be able to watch it in standard def. anymore!!
Comment by Gromitsdad — January 29, 2008 @ 12:15 pm