Those of you who declared television dead when 'Dallas' left the airwaves can ignore the rest of this post. For the rest of us, take note: Google and Yahoo have announced the beginning of the end of the television as an independent media device.
Some content (including both old shows that are having trouble finding a home even on TV Land as well as a selection of new & recent programming) is already available directly from media providers, and from 3rd party software like iTunes. The CBS deal, and the prospect of major search companies getting into the act can only accelerate this trend; television studios will find it difficult to ignore a new revenue stream, especially as their competitors and smaller independants start making money from it.
Within a few years, we'll be able to order and watch television programs just like we pull up websites now. Who woulda thunk it?
Friday, January 06, 2006
Death of Television?
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I can see the allure to this after scanning the listings for yesterday. Did I wish to see "Hope Floats" again? One more viewing of "A Few Good Men?"
Being able to have the entire archive available on demand is very attractive. "Sorceror" has only been on cable twice that I've been able to find in the last twenty years and "The Wages Of Fear" (the French language inspiration for "Soceror" onl;y once. Being able to watch one of these rather than having to put up with one more Joel Schumacher movie would be a treat.
I'm tempted to ask what would happen to original content in that case, though. Would cheap, easy availability of the archive drive out original content? Would "The Beverly Hillbillies" keep the next "Arrested Development" from being produced?
Or would this be the way the marketplace gets to decide directly what it wants to see? Would a new show get a chance to find an audience without counterprogramming? Will I ever shut up?
Just asking?
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