Online TV Goes Mainstream
When the first television show broadcast over
the Internet in 1994, the forecasts about the future of online
television ran from the death of cable and satellite to Internet TV was a
fad. Like so many things, the truth was somewhere in the middle.
Streaming shows was hindered by slow connections, limited availability
and poor quality. For the most part, those issues have been resolved.
Now, the biggest questions relate to programming and availability,
because online TV is ready for prime time.
What's Available Through Online TV
Past Collections: One of the most successful
segments of the online programming picture involves vast libraries of
past seasons and movies. No longer are shelves full of DVDs required to
re-experience favorites from the past. Technologies that allow streaming
directly to television screens make it even more convenient. Push a few
buttons on the remote, and a cherished episode from days gone by is up
and running.
The New Frontier: Television productions that are
Internet-only are coming into their own as viable choices that are on
par with shows on the big networks. Netflix took a gamble on its $100
million online-only series House of Cards and
has four more series in the works. Amazon is quickly adding content to
challenge Netflix, while Hulu and YouTube are getting in on the action.
With the financial resources of Google behind it, look for YouTube to
become a major player.
New Ways to Access: Through platforms like gaming
consoles, smartphones and tablets, it's easier than ever to watch online
television anywhere. The convenience and ability to have what we are
watching on different devices is a big draw.
Getting the Big Talent
A threshold was reached when Netflix found success with House of Cards. While it was their second series, following Lilyhammer,
it was the first to draw big-name talent. Starring Kevin Spacey and
Robin Wright and garnering fairly strong critical reviews, House of Cards earned
its way into the mainstream. There's nothing like success to draw more
interest. Budgets for Internet-only programming will go up, and
recognized names will continue to take a chance. Essentially, what is
happening is the creation of new networks that operate only in the
online environment.
Online TV Is Not an Either/Or Proposition
While there is more content coming online all the time, it's still
necessary to keep a cable or satellite subscription to access much of
what people want to see, but that is changing. Networks are making more
of their best shows available for streaming directly from their sites.
It's easier than ever to catch up on a series or even see the latest
episode right from your device. The biggest exception is sports. To see
the big games usually means you need to watch a traditional feed or
access online streaming with a login on a TV provider's site.
What it all boils down to is that, while online television has
definitely entered the mainstream and is getting bigger each day, for
most people, it's still an addition to their overall entertainment
experience and not a stand-alone choice. That may prove to be the
biggest benefit from online television; it is changing the game. More
competition will help keep prices in check, while more programming will
bring even greater selection.
Source : InternetCorkboard.com
