NBC, broadcasters in the USA of such popular primetime shows as Heroes, The bionic woman, and the fantastic Scrubs, have just launched their software that enables users to download, free of charge, full episodes of the network's most popular series'.

Unfortunately it's not quite as fantastic as it sounds. Internet Explorer is a requirement, and with that comes the fun of DRM, which, on top of shows being available for only 7 days after TV airing, only allows them to stay on your PC for a total of 48 hours before they are automatically deleted. On top of that, unskippable adverts are built into the videos... it just seems to get worse and worse!

Why would any user of bittorrent combined with RSS feeds for their favourite TV shows downgrade to a product such as this, where they are limited, and forced into watching adverts? NBC direct is most definitely only for the casual consumer who needs to catch an episode they missed rather than the steadfast internet user.

If you still care, see it here.