Opt-In Television
on 05.29.06, 06:03am in computers, home theater • share on facebook • comments (16)
I can’t decide if I’m either really late to the party or way ahead of the curve with this realization, but I’m going to go ahead and say it (perhaps this is Furrygoat’s Second Law):
Television, as you know it, is dead.
No, not because there’s 57 channels and nothing on (actually, there’s more like 500 channels and 2 things on), its because the user model for the future of television is not ‘channel surfing’, its ‘opt-in’.
What the heck am I talking about?
Last night while Liz was channel surfing (I think we ended up on Emeril then Iron Chef America, where the secret ingredient was hamburger) I was sitting on the couch with the laptop reading blogs, checking up on email, etc., and was checking out the latest iPod, trying to decide that if now was the right time to pick one up or is some new, cooler model going to come out soon (ya know, there’s always just "one more thing").
Anyways, I thought I would take a look at the video content (either TV Shows or Podcasts) that was available for download in the iTunes store, and then it really hit me. This is a better way to watch television.
No, I’m not talking about watching a television show on a 2.5" LCD or even the iTunes Music Store for that matter. I’m talking about having the ability at any time to download a show or subscribe to a season for content that I’m interested in. No more channel surfing, no more missing episodes, no more DVR clog. Just the content you want, when you want it. It’s the Burger King model of "Have it your way, Right Away!" model, just for TV (and movies) instead.
From your computer, television or XBox Dashboard, you go and subscribe to the shows you want to watch and you’re done. Shows just start downloading over the internet (and with a Home Media Server, things become really interesting) and are ready for you to watch. Bored on a Sunday night? Browse the content guide, download a new show. You’re not limited to what’s currently is being broadcast, but to the entire library of material. It’s opt-In television.
This ‘brave new world’ of television really needs a free and not-free model. If I have the free service, the content has commercials. If I pay, no more ads. Think of the really neat things you could do with a service like this: friends lists
(RSS feeds, of course), new trailers, video podcastings, etc. The
possibilities are really endless.
Who knows, perhaps I’ve just described the entire point behind IPTV,
or the future that Apple envisions with home entertainment and the
iPod. All I know is that I’d like it now. I’m tired of channel surfing.
Finally, a request for whoever is building this (someone has to be). I’m asking you (no, I’m begging you): don’t create some new drm-kill-your-portability codec, just use MP4 or WMV. We’re all tired of codec hell. We just want to be able to watch my stuff on my TV, computers, portable devices and laptops from wherever I am.
MikeyP (May 29, 2006 @ 1:17 pm)
You nailed it, and it is already happening. In my city, Comcast has a pretty extensive OnDemand channel that is getting better every month. As a matter of fact, I don’t see a pressing need to buy an HD-DVD or BluRay player, as OnDemand offers several HD movies.
If only the providers would forget about the DRM nonsense so we could enjoy… and pay for… our entertainment wherever we want it.
Steve (May 29, 2006 @ 1:34 pm)
The only thing I dont like about “on demand” is that it’s locked to the box. Call me nuts, but I want mp4 or wmv’s that I can shoot around the house, move to the ipod or laptop, etc.
Streams (May 30, 2006 @ 3:13 pm)
um, if you pay for the content and it is then ad free and portable (no DRM), how does the carrier insure that it is only portable to YOUR devices and not to the entire world?
Portability also seems like a problem for advertisers. What if I share the content (the free stuff with the ads) with someone in a different market? When the content is locked down to a specific carrier, you have demographic data that drives your ad pricing. If you suddenly allow content to roam everywhere, how do you price it and deal with the fact that those advertised products and services may not be available to the viewer?
Steve (May 30, 2006 @ 4:06 pm)
Carriers are greedy.
Tim (June 14, 2006 @ 5:26 pm)
Check out http://www.permissiontv.com, new channels and content are being added all the time and it’s really starting to pick up speed..
http://e3insider.com/e3tv/
http://www.updatehollywood.com
http://worldcup.permissiontv.com
Anastasia (March 13, 2007 @ 10:38 pm)
Carriers are greedy.
oyun (May 8, 2007 @ 11:05 am)
thanks
Araba Oyunları - Erkek Oyunları (July 2, 2007 @ 3:58 am)
When the content is locked down to a specific carrier, you have demographic data that drives your ad pricing.
İngilizce Eğitimi (July 2, 2007 @ 4:00 am)
If I pay, no more ads. Think of the really neat things you could do with a service like this: friends lists (RSS feeds, of course), new trailers, video podcastings, etc. The possibilities are really endless.
Chat (July 5, 2007 @ 7:01 am)
Thanks
Turkey Holiday - History - Guide (July 10, 2007 @ 4:59 am)
If you suddenly allow content to roam everywhere, how do you price it and deal with the fact that those advertised products and services may not be available.
Erotik Shop (July 14, 2007 @ 5:26 pm)
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Is Elbisesi - Is Elbiseleri (July 23, 2007 @ 3:50 am)
After standing a moment he snapped his fingers with delight and once more smacked his lips.
Taksim (July 23, 2007 @ 3:52 am)
The woman is a perfect fright, like all the beasts put together, and he talks about kissing! Queer fish!”
Oyun Turkiye (July 25, 2007 @ 7:37 am)
They pass one another in a corridor. She trips and falls on her injured arm; Winston helps her up.
Oyun (July 31, 2007 @ 10:04 am)
thanks but i not understand you