Norwegian Broadcaster NRK Goes P2P, Offers TV Shows on Its Own Torrent Tracker

Over the last year (and now very recently) we had quite a share of positive news related to P2P file sharing coming from Norway [read 1], [read2] [read3] (while at the same time, right across the border, Sweden was hosting the trial of the notorious Pirate Bay – whose verdict is due April 17) proving that besides metal rock Scandinavians are crazy about and know they way around file sharing.

Another such news hits as today as Norway’s NRK public broadcaster has announced it will start offer its TV shows as torrents. Considering broadcasters and their dread of P2P file sharing we can say this is definitely a new (and totally opposite) approach.

Inspired by a “very successful” testing of the project last year NRK is ready to implement the idea and create its own torrent tracker. Moreover, they will use the same software that powers Pirate Bay in distributing a larger number of high-quality, full-length shows on regular basis.

Project manager Erik Solheim said: “Experience from our early tests show that if we’re the best provider of our own content we also gain control of it.” The broadcaster seems capable even of solving the copyright issues with producers: “It seems like it should be possible to find a solution where NRK gets the rights it needs and the rights holders get the compensation they want.” The company is endorsing the Miro player.

Last time I remember saying: That’s just one Minister to my liking! (referring to Norwegian Education Minister) – now I think this is starting to be just one country to my liking!