十一期间,视频网站相继宣布了一个消息。

Major Chinese video streaming platforms iQiyi, Youku and Tencent Video announced that they were canceling the practice of charging fees for early access to TV show episodes before they are available to other members and the general public.国内主要视频平台爱奇艺、优酷、腾讯视频宣布取消剧集超前付费点播服务。

【知识点】

所谓超前点播,是视频网站推出的一项增值服务(value-added service),用户需要在VIP会员的基础上额外付费才能提前解锁未播出的内容(VIP members have to pay extra to unlock the yet-to-be-broadcast content in advance),且用户只能按顺序逐集购买(on an episode by episode basis),不能自由选择。

超前点播最早始于2019年,当时《陈情令》在腾讯视频成为超级爆款,腾讯视频试行“超前点播”功能,大获成功。据片方在庆功宴上透露,该剧付费点播人数达520万人次,超前付费总金额达1.56亿元。

就在同年底《庆余年》播出时,作为拼播剧,腾讯视频和爱奇艺同时运用了这一模式,VIP 用户再支付 50 元即可提前观看 6 集,引起舆论热议。

今年《扫黑风暴》热播时,平台方再次推出超前点播升级版——逐集解锁,这一模式被官方点名批评。

On Aug 30, the Shanghai Consumer Protection Committee issued a document saying that consumers have the right to choose which episode they want to watch and that the so-called “unlocking in sequence” is an unfair sales tactic.8月30日,上海消费者保护委员会发文称,消费者有权选择看哪一集,所谓的“逐集解锁”行为是一种不公平的销售策略。

9月9日,中国消费者协会也就此发声。

The China Consumers Association expressed its view that VIP services on video platforms should be in compliance with laws and regulations.中国消费者协会表示,视频平台的VIP服务应该依法合规。

Consumers pay membership fees to have early access to TV series on video platforms, while the new practice of pay-per-view in advance is suspected to be an infringement of members' rights.消费者花钱购买VIP会员就可以享受提前观看剧集的权利,而“超前点播”行为涉嫌损害会员权益。

【相关词汇】

binge-viewing 连续 “刷” 剧

video on demand 视频点播

pay-per-view in advance 提前付费收看

video streaming 视频流

参考来源:新华网、腾讯新闻

(中国日报网英语点津 Helen)

来源:中国日报网