Television, As You Know It, Is Dead
on 01.11.07, 04:00pm in media • comments (8)
Back in May, I made the assertion (which I call “Furrygoat’s Second Law”) that “Television, as you know it, is dead”. I claimed that opt-in video was just a better way to watch television.
Between this weeks announcements regarding AppleTV, XBox 360’s IPTV, the Netgear Digital Entertainer (side note: it may be ugly, but it supports way more codecs than AppleTV), and a variety of other means to stream video throughout the house, it seems like everyone’s starting get a clue that streaming media is the future.
Then last night, I was reading about an experiment that PBS was trying: they have three new science shows (Wired Science, Science Investigators and 22nd Century). Only one will be made into a real show - download them from iTunes, and vote (note: They are going to be aired on old-fashioned TV if you desire).
WHAT!? You, the average television watcher, actually can get a say on what new program is going to be on. Simply amazing.
One last thought: Between Liz and I, we regularly watch 4 shows - 24, Prison Break, Heroes and Desperate Housewives. All are available on iTunes for $39-$45 per show, per season. I could buy the entire season, without commercials, for all the shows we regularly watch for approx $180. Compared to $65/mo for cable, that seems like a bargin to me.
Of course, you lose the ability to ‘channel surf’, but how often is there ever really anything worth watching on?
Timmy (January 11, 2007 @ 10:06 pm)
Desparate Housewives? Really? Seriously? I think Timmy is starting to lose some respect for the Goat… Really? Desparate Housewives? Do you do this just to get a little … you know … sugar and spice? Why else could the Goat be watching this?
Who is your favorite character?
No, wait … don’t answer that… All of a sudden http://www.streamsfamily.com is starting to look more attractive.
Josh Pollard (January 12, 2007 @ 3:44 am)
Where this really breaks down though is sports. I bought the NHL Center Ice package this year so that I could finally watch my Penguins play. Without it I have no way of seeing them. Plus its nice to be able to watch football on Sunday afternoons (even if the Lions do suck.)
Timmy (January 12, 2007 @ 7:37 am)
On the serious side, what about your kids? Don’t they want to watch Elmo, Blues Clues and other random stimulants? What will you do for them?
Steve (January 12, 2007 @ 9:53 am)
Timmy: Liz watches Desperate Housewives. I sit on the couch with the laptop.
Kids? I have tons of Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine, etc on DVD or Netflix.
Grover Saunders (January 12, 2007 @ 1:40 pm)
But without channel surfing, how are you finding those shows to begin with? All four of the shows you’re talking about are all still on traditional television and primarily supported by traditional television. Are you watching ANY internet only shows? Cause there are tons of them. Don’t get me wrong, I’m in. I just don’t think the majority of viewers are anywhere near that.
This revolution may happen one day, but it’s going to be a LONG time before it comes even close to eclipsing traditional forms of media. Everyone predicting the death of TV and the CD music format are going to look like those 50’s movies where people were traveling with jetpacks in the far flung future of 1988.
As to kids, having a home media library is the best thing that ever happened to children’s tv. My kids are actually a little surprised when they go to a friends house and they can’t just pick what they want to watch. They can only watch what’s on TV at that moment. It also helps me to avoid the more inane TV shows (there really is some quality children’s programming these days).
Steve (January 12, 2007 @ 9:25 pm)
Funny enough, I had a look at my favorite show, Heroes, as an iTunes ‘early’ download of the pilot episode before it even showed on television. After downloading and watching it (and rewatching it with everyone at work - they’re all hooked), I download it weekly.
I agree though - the majority of users aren’t there - yet. It’ll happen though.
James (January 16, 2007 @ 7:57 am)
As more bandwidth becomes available to average users, the internet might provide a way to watch sporting events. I already watch UFC events live with little more than Windows Media Player and pc speakers.
John (January 17, 2007 @ 9:19 pm)
I prefer buying shows on DVD: special features, sharing with friends, etc. The one-year lag time is a pain, but…