There has been a lot of TV news lately, mainly along two topics. First of all is the mandatory conversion to High-Definition TV. After being postponed a couple of times while the television stations built their new transmission facilities, there is now a hard deadline date of February, 2009.
For almost a year now the television retailers have been prohibited from selling the analog tv sets and the new digital receivers are becoming prevalent in homes. But when the “big switch” takes place next year, whatever older sets are still in use will need to be coupled with a converter box in order to get a picture. We’ll be keeping you informed of any happenings and technical news on this over the next few months.
The other item that is changing viewing practices is the fast-growing concept of broadband streaming and downloads of movies and tv shows. I’ve noticed recently that some cable networks are offering entire episodes of selected programs online as streaming files. Much like watching a high-resolution YouTube video. For now, they are older episodes that have been shown previously on the tv channel.
I haven’t made any attempt to check all the cable networks, but USA Network is doing this and what is notable is that you don’t have to own a tv or even have a cable service contract in order to watch their programs online. We’re seeing a movement toward a direct network-to-viewer delivery, bypassing the cable system.
I’d be willing to bet, though, that once they’ve weaned people off of their cable providers, the networks will institute some sort of subscription or payment plan to view their shows. But at least you won’t have to pay for stations that you don’t watch like you do now.
HBO is moving into that type of delivery now. Last week they announced that this year they will begin offering their movies and original programming as downloads over your broadband internet connection. You’ll be able to select whatever movie you choose and store it on your hard drive until you decide to watch it. But it can’t be saved, copied or watched a second time. However, there will be no charge to do this IF you are an HBO subscriber through a cable tv system. For the time being, that is.
It looks like the networks are determined to transform to a system where they deliver directly to the viewer, thus making the cable operators obsolete. Couple that with the existing ability to view your computer output on a tv monitor and you’ve got it. I think that in the long run the consumer will benefit because we will be able to choose the channels we want to recieve rather than today’s options where we have to pay for 120 stations that we don’t want.
But don’t think this new system will be free. They have to make their money somehow.
And we have to get this equipment checked out. So get started while I go fix the coffee.
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