FOX is launching a new video service on its IGN and MySpace websites called Direct2Drive, where television programs and movies will be available for download. Television programs such as 24, Prison Break, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia can be downloaded within 24 hours of airing on the network. The cost for each episode is the industry standard $1.99. Movies, such as X-Men, The Omen, Garfield, and Thank You For Smoking will be available for download on the same day that the DVDs are released. The cost for a movie is $20.

The catch here is that all the video can only be downloaded and played on computers or devices that run Microsoft Windows Media Player. That means iPods are shut out. FOX probably chose the Windows technology because 1) more people stil use Windows machines; and 2) copyright protection. The service will limit playback to two Windows computers, each with one portable device.

Considering most television downloads have been through iTunes... do you think FOX is on the right track here?