I travel quite a bit and while on airplanes, I witness many passengers who are watching television on their I-phones, their blackberries or the like. It is true that some television shows are watchable via the very small screen but I would question whether this trend will eliminate the need for large LCD/plasma screen televisions. I would offer that the bigger and clearer screens will continue to be purchased as society takes the theater experience and re-creates it in our homes. Just look at the NFL on Sunday afternoons, the league is crediting the improvements to at home television watching is making a negative impact on ticket sales.

It’s very easy to look around at the prevalence of the Internet and social media and predict the demise of the traditional forms of news sources, like television, radio and newspapers. Newspaper circulation is on a slide, as is viewership of traditional TV news programs like the evening news. And radio … well, it’s hard to even find news on radio anymore. But does all this mean that the Internet will wipe out all media competition? Probably not.

In the Newseum-filmed video segment titled “The Future of News: Global News,” veteran TV and print reporters discuss how traditional media can still thrive, but do definitely need to work in concert with emerging media. Ann Curry, for instance, talks about how she’s not only a traditional TV reporter and broadcaster, but a still photographer, videographer, blogger and social media maven with thousands of followers. This is the future of “television” news. News programs can’t just be on TV anymore, but must branch out to reach the millions on the Web and social media.

For today’s journalists, the Web shouldn’t necessarily be seen as a threat, but journalists should waste no time embracing new forms of connecting with their audiences in addition to traditional forms. Their jobs are now much harder, with deadlines always rolling in a 24/7 world. Those who embrace the change and technology will survive, but those who do not will die off like the traditional media forms will that do not have a Web-based element.

I have mixed reactions to what some people feel is ‘the death of television.’

First, it is clear that the web is changing viewing habits by moving more shows online. This shift gives free access to viewers on their timetable rather than the networks’ timetables. This move helps networks regain a little more control over an audience, which has become accustomed to using their DVR to skip past commercials. On websites like NBC.com, a viewer has to sit through a 15 or 30-second commercial before the computer will load the next segment of a show. In a way, this is more of a shift back to the traditional marketing methods used in television where the viewer must sit through, or at least wait on, the commercials before the show continues.

However, I don’t know that television will be disappearing anytime soon – although I do believe it is changing rapidly. Here are a few reasons why TV will be sticking around:

1. Watching video online, especially longer shows, takes a fairly fast Internet connection speed. Although most homes can pull them in, not all have fast enough Internet to watch videos online without the video choking up. This will be corrected in time but still is a consideration presently.
2. People like to channel surf. We don’t always know exactly what we want to watch on TV. Those viewers who know what show they want to watch can go directly to a website and click on that video. How do they know what shows are available? Generally, they see it on television first. It’s still nice to quickly scan through shows to see what catches our eye.
3. For a while, Napster’s technology opened the floodgates for people to download free (yet illegal) music. Eventually, the law caught up and began busting people for illegal downloading. It obviously didn’t stop it completely, but it makes people think twice before downloading pirated music. As these laws and technology catch up, more companies find better ways of protecting and tracking copyrighted videos and other media. What this means is the potential for less pirating and illegal sharing. The whole drive of video to the web is convenience and cost. However, as networks regain control of their own content they may once again be tempted to charge for their copyrighted content.
4. Streaming a pre-recorded show vs. live TV – When we go to watch a 1-hour pre-recorded show on a computer we are watching a compressed (smaller file size) version of that video. The producers of the video have time to take the video and run it through compression software to make the size manageable for residential viewers. Live television is a different animal. The stations must have computers capable of compressing live video 24/7 and streaming that constant content to the web. This technology is still pretty pricey.
In the end, the Internet WILL affect the way television is viewed but I don’t think it will kill the TV set just yet. Many people might have thought movie theaters would disappear when cable TV came on the scene. That didn’t happen.

I believe a great option would be an online service, which lets users build their own online ‘cable’ lineup. The shows would be available at the same time they air on TV but users can pick and choose which channels they want and which they don’t. This is an option cable companies are fighting to maximize their own profits. I think consumers would jump at the chance to pay only for the channels they want in an online or even TV format.

It is interesting that there are two trends going on in regard to television. One is the trend of watching TV on devices that are anything BUT a traditional television screen, which can include a cell phone, a smart phone, an iPod, a laptop or other computer. By and large, these screens are much smaller than the traditional television set (some of these devices are downright TINY). It’s hard to believe that someone can actually even see what’s going on on the screen. One has to wonder if this particular trend is just a novelty. “Hey, look! I’m watching last night’s TV show on my laptop in the hallway of my classroom!”

The other trend in television is the complete opposite. It seems like electronics stores don’t sell televisions smaller than 60 inches today. If you want something smaller, you really have to look for it. Huge, wall-mounted televisions still seem to be all the rage, much like a status symbol for many. And consumers don’t just want big, they want a crystal-clear, high-resolution picture too. None of this picture tube stuff for them. Heck, they don’t even make those TVs anymore (do they?).

What I have to wonder is are the same people who are buying the 80-inch 1080p TVs also watching shows on their laptop or iPhones? It’s hard to believe they do, unless they just can’t get enough TV in any form. So the viewership seems to be split — between those preferring convenience and novelty over quality and those who think nothing of planting a TV that covers their entire wall in their living room. I would guess that the former may not even care that much about TV, and the latter are passionate TV watchers. That’s just a guess, though.

I guess I don’t see any danger currently for television losing out to the Internet, thanks to all of the “80-inch, 1080p” people I know. There are still so many people who think nothing of spending $200 a month on their cable bill to have the latest and greatest channels. Sure, there are many who don’t subscribe and watch shows only on the Internet, but judging by the profitability of cable behemoths like Comcast, it’s hard to see the Internet as a direct threat to good, old-fashioned TV just yet.

The Internet does pose as a risk to television as a primary medium for several reasons. For one, the two now compete for people’s leisure time activity. Some, like myself, like to do both at one time. And as for watching television programs, you don’t need a television to do that anymore. Viewers can now find most of their favorite programs via the Internet on home computers, laptops, smartphones, tablet computers and portable MP3 players. Although this advance in technology may be increasing the sales of those type of devices, I find it hard to believe that people aren’t buying fancy flat screen televisions for their homes anymore. They just have more options of where to watch. I agree that the real problem lies in the advertising dilemma with people getting better at dodging commercials. Whether it be DVR or on-demand cable, viewers are finding ways to bypass advertising altogether. Some web sites that offer television shows don’t even incorporate ads into their transmissions, but others like Hulu force the viewer to watch short ten to 20 second ads during the program. This is pointing us back in the direction of old fashioned advertising, where you don’t have a choice. Advertising on websites that offer TV shows allows the ad message to reach a more niche market as well. So maybe the Internet isn’t such a bad place for television programs. With all that said, I believe that people will still prefer to channel-surf and choose their programs in the moment on their 55″ 1080p LCD (maybe even 3D) flat panel television mounted on their living room wall. It’s the experience that people enjoy that will keep them tuned in. Yes, many college students don’t own televisions and they prefer to watch programs on their laptops, but that is not the market that provides a majority of media revenue to begin with. The shift will take place when working adults begin to use devices other than televisions as their primary source of programming, or if those college students continue their trend of program viewing on their laptops until they are the working class adults of the world.

Without built in commercial breaks throughout episodes viewed on the web, advertisers may be scrambling to find ways to push their products, however, their new found tactics are combating this with growing creativity. Product placement seems to be on the rise as television shows (both scripted and unscripted so called reality TV) incorporate company names and products into their line up.

Sponsorships are up and “television networks have gone to selling plugs for products and services in scripts” (Vivian 226). Vivian further states that “facing the TiVo drain of viewers who skip the ads,” networks are “weaving product names into scripts” and that “the practice seems destined to stay” (Vivian 226).

Other advertisers have reduced the budget typically set forth in television advertising in lieu of non traditional means of sponsorship in other areas such as concerts, museum exhibits, and special promotions at health clubs and movie theaters. While the future of television may be in question, advertisers are working to be proactive in their approach to maintaining sales.

I really don’t understand people like Richard Cavell and their statements of death and doom. Why is new technology always the bringer of death for existing technology? Television was going to end radio and that didn’t exactly turn out. Now, the internet is going to destroy everything. The internet is just another piece of technology that needs to be embraced and used to the benefits of media companies as a mode of delivery. It’s not going to end anything. It will redefine the ‘rules’, for lack of a better term. The one x-factor that television will have for quite some time is ‘event watching’. The Super Bowl, the State of the Union Address, and unfortunately American Idol will keep us tuned in for ‘appointment viewing’ for some time. Although, I think American Idol is reaching its end and I, for one, couldn’t be happier.

Vivian discussed how media companies look at profits as a whole as opposed to if their over the air networks may have been off by a percent or two. We’re probably headed toward a three-tier system of broadcasting. Local, national and viral. Each with their own profit model and each intertwined to create media money making machines.

Still, for my money, the DVR is my favorite technological invention of the past few decades and I wonder if there will be any innovations that take the technology into the online world. If you want to know what might kill television, let me access my DVR from my Blackberry/iPhone or laptop while away from the house. Then it’s over for television. Because of school, I have over twenty episodes of “The Daily Show” waiting for me to watch on my DVR. If I could just pull them up on my Blackberry, I’d be a very happy man. I can already program my DVR from my phone; now let me watch it from my phone. Of course, I might not be working on my school work while I’m driving to St. Louis, so maybe it’s not such a good idea after all.

There is no question that the Internet is changing the way that people obtain their news and entertainment. I would question whether this will impact the sale of large scale televisions. If anything as internet service becomes better and more available I would think that the big screen televisions will continue to be purchased and used to watch Internet programming. As these television improve in clarity and the delivery of the internet product improves the two will share in increased popularity.

I find this interesting. Yes, watching television is becoming more mobile, but is it any more practical? My ipod supports video usage, but the screen is also 2 inches by 1 1/2 inches, maybe? I have never even tried uploading videos to it, and have never tried watching videos on it either. I know I wouldn’t like it.There is no way that viewing something on that small of a screen could be pleasurable to me. It is so handy and nice to be able to watch videos and dvds on my laptop and on the web, but at the same time the picture on laptops is never clear, and the picture is compressed with black lines on top and bottom taking up nearly 1/4 of the screen.

I would rather watch a movie on my television set, where the picture is clearer. The television shows I have watched online have always had at least one advertisement during commercial breaks, even if it is the only one. Advertising companies are going to have be creative with innovative ways to get their advertisements in web television. Will we start to see more product placement in television shows?

The article touches on college students not bringing television sets to school with them. I agree, fewer students are taking to television and are turning to the web for their favorite shows. The issue then becomes what are the affects this has on the advertiser? For now I would say little, because most television advertisements are for household products and food….something that college students buy very little of.

I just learned today that our tv has the capabilities of connecting to a computer but we never use it. I find that surfing the Internet is more of a solitary event where mostly tend to watch tv together. As far as college students go, my nephew (freshman at William and Mary) was so excited to be taking his $3000 Apple to college to use for all sorts of purposes including watching tv. I could hardly hear what he said after the $3000 price tag though. In that case, a tv would be cheaper, though I suppose not as practical. Plus, do students even have to pay for cable in dorms?
I do follow some shows online, mostly because I can watch abbreviated versions which allow me to follow them without having the time commitment. Life just doesn’t allow much time for leisure and when it does spending it on the computer (which I do all day) or even watching tv is not my first choice.

One reason that I value watching TV over watching shows over the Internet is the bigger viewing capacity but with such programs as Google TV and even Mac TV, they are joining TV and the Internet. Don’t get me wrong, I still do believe that Television is not going anywhere but the Internet is opening many programming possibilities.

I found it interesting how the advertising industry has consistently been jumping through hurdles to survive these technological advancements. I remember when advertisers were stressed because of TiVo. This allowed audiences to speed through their hard work. Advertisers had to develop a new system that enticed viewers to still want to want commercials. Now advertisers are back to the drawing board and need to develop solutions for online advertisements.

Overall, I cannot hide the fact that I love and value networks for placing my favorite shows on the Internet. Life has a funny way of taking hold of you and you can’t watch your designated programs on TV like you use to. This lets viewers catch their programming at their leisure. I again do not think TV is going anywhere. I foresee TV and Internet continuing to work together, allowing both mediums to grow, develop and survive.

I understand why it is becoming more popular to watch TV shows on the Internet. I can even see the attraction of hooking your laptop up to your TV, to have a large screen. However, my personal preference currently is to bury my head in the sand and keep watching my TV the way I always have. I do occasionally watch one show online, because my DVR has limitations. Now, my DVR is a different story. I am not sure how I ever lived without it. I know that I will have to start considering that there are other options. I could probably save a fortune if I cancelled my cable and just watched all my favorite shows on the Internet. I do wonder though, how long will these conveniences be free? It seems that anything that convenient will eventually come with a cost. Also, going digital almost caused a national confusion day. I now see tons of ‘old’ televisions at rummage sales. Everyone wants the new ones that hang on the walls. There are a lot of tech challenged folks in the world that will keep TV in business for a long time. There are also a lot of lazy folks who work on PC’s all day and don’t want to touch one at home. I am in that category. I won’t change until absolutely forced, or enticed.

Hmmmm Mr. Steve Mossop sounds like every other “smart” guy who thinks they know what they are talking about. I think it’s funny that he thinks the new world of internet is just a trend. I am sure the same thing was said about cell phones, television and even Ipods before they became more than just a trend. The truth is anything that makes the lives of society better and cheaper is going to be more than just a trend.

Television has become a second medium running close to the use of internet. This fact is rapidly changing with all internet has available to customers. Internet and computers are simply the new television set. Television plays movies, records shows and broadcast programs. Internet can do all of this and more. If internet taking over the world of television is just a trend then this computer I am typing on is fake :/

I thought this article was pretty interesting. I’m surprised that so many people DO NOT have internet. 73 PERCENT! That is a lot, but it doesn’t seem like that is correct just because I don’t know anyone who doesn’t have the internet. Even my grandparents have it! Another thing I found interesting is where you said gone are the days of people hauling TVs up to the dorms. I know a bunch of people (including myself) who watch TV online, but I don’t know anyone who uses it as his or her main form of TV.

designed TV’s are a favorite of many and seen in most weekly ads for companies like HHGreggs or Best Buy. The reason I agree that it is far off is because I think it will be a huge phasing project similar to the digital switch in February of 2009. There would be some pretty angry consumers out there if something were to happen any time soon to and thousands of dollars were wasted on a television that may not be compatible. I think Google TV will really contribute to starting the process, slowly introducing such ideas to people. I saw my first advertisement for it today , and wow–pretty cool, but necessary? The commercial showed a Facebook and Twitter account accessed through your television. I think it will open a whole new chapter to changes in lifestyle–as McLuhan may think. While it’s neat to have access to the social network sites through every electronic device in your home, I cannot help but think that nobody really cares what I’m doing right now, I don’t know that I even care that much to update Facebook! Also, I can’t see my 85 year old grandmother appreciating such a change to her television routines, and that is definitely something to consider. There different demographics, ages, groups, baby boomers all the way up to elderly people, etc that may not be as accustomed to life on the web as younger generations. They may completely and very likely oppose such changes. However, I do believe the ease and convenience GoogleTV could offer by providing television, picture slide shows, music players, internet access etc–basically your all in one experience, will be a success with consumers who enjoy the simplicity of items that can seem so complex.

“The vast wasteland,” I am not convinced. I have seen all the studies done and I agree that Internet usage is up. I think the role of Television isn’t what it used to be. People have more options now, so of course they take advantage of those options. However, television isn’t at risk like newspapers are currently. Television sets have become high tech, high definition, and come in just about any size. People like that versatility. I think the accessibility of watching shows on the Internet is very convenient, but it is limited. Television manufacturers are aware of their competition and are planning accordingly. Prices this Christmas are expected to drop dramatically. I think the industry as a whole is not at risk, but they do have to get creative and adjust according to their viewer’s habits.

Though the wide access to programming online and through our wireless devices has certainly had an impact on how, when, and where we watch TV, I think there will always be a place for traditional networks in this new world order. Watching sporting events and action motion pictures are often communal events, with friends and family gathering around the television – the larger the better it seems today and I don’t see that laptops, iPads, and smartphones will ever replace the television as a staple in America’s family rooms. Though these are convenient ways to watch programming, they are too small for “serious” TV viewing. With Google and Apple TV making it simple work to have the internet easily available on our televisions, I can see these types of options becoming popular in homes today. There are more and more options to view programming via the web and having an internet enabled television will become the norm.

The television viewing habits of today are certainly different than they were pre-Internet, but I believe that having a television in the living room, den, kitchen or bedroom will continue to be a fundamental component within most American households for many years to come. Along with the recent advances with Internet technology and video streaming, television is also rapidly progressing. 3D television is just the latest example of why traditional television will not be going away any time soon. ESPN has already embraced the concept by offering a specific channel to consumers (for an extra fee, of course) that is dedicated solely for viewing all of its 3D programming.

For me, and I suspect for many others as well, the television still remains relevant thanks to the invention of the DVR. Unless there is a major live broadcast occurring—such as sporting events—I typically will record a show and watch it (on my television) at a convenient time, and not when the program actually airs. There is just something about sitting in front of a television set (as opposed to a computer screen) when it’s time to unwind from the day’s activities to be entertained by motion picture. One thing that broadcast television is also doing to help save its medium is to keep viewers engaged in its programming by promoting “extras” from the show that are provided on the network’s Web site. This drives traffic back to its site and offers consumers the added ingredient of Internet and social media content that viewers are obviously attracted to and hungry to receive.

When I read that “68 percent of people worldwide with access to the Internet admit to spending more time online than in front of their television sets”, I admitted to myself that I do the same exact thing. What I am looking forward to is the new television era where we buy a television that is a computer, therefore we can see the internet in large screen. It would be awesome if there was aksi a camera/video attached so it could be used on skype. Maybe by doing that, we can eliminate the need for household telephones also. Cable companies would charge just one fee because the television would be coming through the internet.

Marshall McLuhan predicted that, over time, people would become more “involved in each other in a more tribal way,” and that, in order to be successful, mass communicators would have to cater to that desire for their audiences to feel connected with one another. Enter the success of social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter, which allow people to interact on levels never before possible. That interactivity, I believe, is what television is missing. Sure, some reality shows allow viewers to call in and vote for their favorite contestants, and political commentary shows invite viewers to voice their opinions through emails they read on air, but the Internet allows fore more interaction between viewers than the medium of television is capable of providing. That’s where Internet TV sites have the upper hand. Take Hulu, for example. Visitors to Hulu’s site can watch their favorite TV shows and then instantly provide feedback via a discussion post or review, and can even share the video with others on their own site or blog by using Hulu’s widget maker. Viewers who crave more interactivity with their programming and fellow viewers are likely to prefer watching their shows online. That being said, I think it will be a while before watching programming on television is a thing of the past. There are still some people who couldn’t care less about interacting with other fans of their favorite shows, and prefer to enjoy their programming on a large screen without having to worry about buffering issues. And while watching TV online can provide viewers with the opportunity to interact with other viewers across the country, some people still (and probably always will) prefer the opportunity gathering around the TV provides them to interact with their family members right in their own living room. So while I agree that Internet is forcing television programming to evolve, I don’t agree with Richard Cavell’s declaration that it’s over for TV. Not yet anyway.

I definitely do not agree with Richard Cavell’s assertion that it’s over for television. Although there have been countless devices introduced in the past decade that have dramatically altered the way individuals view television, not all of them have had negative impacts. I personally would hardly be able to watch any TV shows at all if it weren’t for DVR and that’s one device I believe is helping to save TV networks, despite the negative effect it has on advertising dollars. The statistic stating that “68 percent of people spend more time online than in front of their TVs” sounds slightly skewed. These individuals did not admit to having spent more time online watching television shows, simply that they were online more hours per day. With the growing number of people who work at a computer 8-10 hours per day, that is completely understandable. Right now, most of the material produced for online consumption, other than that provided by the networks, is extremely grassroots and not on the same level with traditional television programming (I personally cannot watch most of the online series because the instability of the camera makes me motion sick!) Also, watching clips of videos on a smartphone or iPod is ok, but they are hardly suitable for viewing longer shows or movies. All in all, I think the Internet is definitely threatening traditional television, but I do not believe it will replace it entirely … at least not now.

It’s interesting that you led off with Newton Minow’s comment about TV being a “vast wasteland.” Up until a few weeks ago, all I knew of Minow was that two-word phrase. But recently I was catching up on Bob Edwards Weekend podcasts and heard an interview with Minow from March 2011. I was surprised to find out that Minow wasn’t advocating for censorship in his role as FCC chairman. In fact, he was doing the opposite.

In the interview with Edwards, he said “I thought the government should expand the range of choice for the listener and the viewer.” He also advocated for the Kennedy administration to launch more communication satellites, because satellites “launch ideas into space – and ideas last longer than people.” Curious to find out more about Minow, I looked up his April 2011 article in The Atlantic titled “A Vaster Wasteland.” In the article, Minow also put forth some solid recommendations on how the television industry can stay relevant in the Internet age. I also found that Minow supports the Internet because it represents “full flowering of freedom.” I tend to agree. Because it isn’t restrained by the economic model of television (high costs + advertising support = feed the masses), the Internet gives us more freedom of choice.

I highly recommend the podcast and article to anyone who has an interest in media. You can find a link to the podcast at http://www.bobedwardsradio.com/march-2011/.The article is at http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2011/04/a-vaster-wasteland/8418/2/

I see the future of TV headed in a direction in which we as consumers and viewers will have to pay for the things we currently get free on the internet. We’ll have to subscribe to certain stations just like we do with television. It’s only a matter of time before the freedom of the World Wide Web remains free for our use. If anything, programs will find funding through advertisers.

I don’t see television going anywhere, however. We still need TV for real-time events such as presidential elections, reality shows or sporting events. Sure, we can watch these on the internet, but they may not be available in ‘real time’; there might be a time delay due to the internet connection. These types of events will keep television in the business.

Also, the internet is connected to so many things. Sometimes my internet is down or is slow because many people are on the server or using multiple laptops within the house. I don’t want to have to rely only on the internet connection and speed to watch my program all the way through.

Amanda Mikulski
Journ 601
Dr. Jim Willis
October 12, 2011

My response to: The Web and the Wasteland

It has not been that long, only six years, since my freshman year of college. I remember being the only person to bring a television in my dorm room (shared by 4 people). We ended up putting it in the main room. None of us seemed to use it, but I really think it was because we were so busy, not because of the internet. When I started at USI I had just bought my first lap top after having only my parent’s dinosaur of a computer, so maybe I was behind, but I just remember spending a lot of time making friends of facebook. Now, however, I could not imagine not watching the TV, and have to say, I am with September, I wouldn’t know what to do without by DVR. Because of my super lame television addiction, my husband has to watch TV on the net. He now has Netflix and streams live and has an account with Hulu. He find is much easier to watch the 8 second commercials than to fast forward on the DVR. Although I do watch shows that I miss or that my dvr messed up on the web, I am still more inclined to watch the television for entertainment. But, it is completely different when talking about news. I would much rather Google what I am looking for and watch the information on the web. This allows me to learn more about what I want to know, and takes up less of my time. I have noticed a lot of newspapers and magazines changing to work with the change in technology and have internet sites as well. This is great news, and has changed journalism.

Again, I am not proud of my television habits, but I watch “Design Star” and every season someone wins, and then another person gets to have an online show. Now, I do not have the figures, but I myself, go to watch this online show more because it is shorter, sweeter, and down to the dirty decorating tips right away. They also will feature full link episodes, but the online show gets more of my attention. Because of this shift, I think a lot of journalists have more opportunity. Not only professionals, but those who might just do journalism on the side and have a great knack for it. Those who want to have their own show or be the reporter on the local news station now have a brand new avenue, which might get them even more exposure. And, those without degrees and experience can use their talent to write, host and show their efforts online. I think the openness of the internet is going to hope both professionals and those hoping to become professionals and change what we view. And, who knows, maybe a show like “The Hills” will be put online only and start a whole new revolution in that way too.

I watch all of my television programs on my television. The only time I watch a video or clip online is if it is required or I can’t find it on TV. This leads me to believe that television isn’t going anywhere. However, one bit of technology that I can see negatively affecting ad dollars is the DVR. I hardly ever watch commercials. I have actually gotten to the point where I don’t watch a show while it is actually being aired because I am addicted to fast forwarding through commercials. I am sure that this sort of activity will eventually have devastating effects on the media especially as more and more individuals subscribe to dvr service or other services such as Hulu or Netflix. I think the TVs themselves are safe, but the programming may not be.

Amanda Mikulski
Journ 620
Willis
October 24, 2011
Blog Posting Wk 7

My Response to: The Web and the Wasteland
My husband and I were just discussing how it is becoming easier to watch a show on the internet than to even fast forward with the DVR. The problem I am having is that they make you watch a bit of the same commercial at every break, and that’s pretty annoying. If they would pull away from this, or even just change the commercial between, I would be way more hooked. I think it’s nice to watch online because you can multi-task. I can check my facebook, chat, do homework and watch television at the same time. And, in my house, where we watch way to much television, sometimes the DVR is too full and I would rather stream the show online than watch in another room with commercials. In the future I see corporations like Google making it possible to watch whatever you want with no cable-or satellite. Lots of people in the area I live are getting fiber optic internet connection and could probably get away without having television because of the speed it gives them on the net. How cool would it be to just pay $10 more to have access to television programs without commercials then and there? I think that this is in the works, because these television corporations are noticing how high the demand for internet television really is. My husband only watches “our” shows on the actual television, and football of course!

I used to watch TV very frequently. There was a show I watched everyday of the week pretty much. The invention of the DVR was perfect. Now, that I am busy, I can still watch my shows. The Internet helps with that as well. If for some reason my DVR didn’t record, I know that I can go online and watch the episode, equipped with commercials and all. I do prefer the larger screen of the TV, however.

“…68 percent of people worldwide with access to the Internet admit to spending more time online than in front of their television sets.“ I can agree with this statement. However, when I am on the Internet, I am also in front of the TV. It seems that I multitask, but I’m pretty sure I never fully pay attention to either.

To me, the Internet and television can go hand in hand very well. I can waste time being occupied with each of them. There is also cable Internet now. It will be interesting to see what comes of these two things in the future.

As a working mom with little down time, television is still relaxing. I don’t have to think, type, search online, etc; obviously, I have to turn it on and change the channel, but on the occasion that I am absolutely exhausted and just want to “veg”, television is still useful in my environment. Although, despite the need, relaxing is not something I actually have time to do very often.
Normally, if I am looking for information, have a question, or I want sports/entertainment info, I go to my phone or computer. I am busy, on the go, and rarely home, so (as much I need that down time) television is not convenient.
Technology has changed our lives and we are changing technology by becoming more dependent.Our employers expect more out of us, and we expect more out of everything; in the midst of our intense schedules and high expectations, television just doesn’t seem to suit most American’s lives anymore.While that is reality, we all still need that effortless time to relax, so television still has it’s place in my household (just not as much anymore).

This blog post provides an interesting take on the convergence of the Internet and how it impacts television viewing. I do not think that the television is in danger of becoming extinct just yet. People still use television sets, and most agree the bigger the better, to watch shows, series, and movies. It is also used as an entertainment piece when company comes over. It would not be very fun to gather around a 15-inch computer screen to view the Superbowl, for instance.
However, for finding content of interest quickly, and independently, the laptop, smart phone, or desktop is the way to go. I enjoy “googling” my item of interest and having it appear instantaneously without having to wait until a certain time of day when a television show will appear. I can find out the news without having to wait until 5pm or even later, at 11pm.

A recent development in home building has shown that American homes are becoming smaller. In 2011 era homes, builders are seeing the formation of a hybrid space which combines the former dining room, living room, and home office into a single area with an open concept. The advent of the home office being fused with the living room is hinged on the internet capabilities of the home television.

Television and internet have now become synonomous with each other. If you miss something on tv, just pull it up on YouTube or the network’s website and you can view it immediately. Why wait for the 11 o’clock news? Google it and find out the most current event. And to take it a step further, I can watch from the palm of my hand. With all the streaming, I can now watch from my cell phone with just a click. I don’t believe that internet will completely eliminate television like it is doing to newspaper, but it’s definitely having an impact.

There has been a great shift in how audiences consume television and I think there are a variety of factors contributing to the decline of traditional viewing, obviously the internet playing a large role. Mobile devices now allow people to watch content at their leisure, anywhere and at anytime. The internet has created a new medium for content in addition to what is seen on TV and also presents a platform for amateur producers to create their own content and distribute it to an audience, through sites like YouTube and Vimeo. I think the biggest challenge that broadcasters will face is similar to that seen by newspapers, in how to make revenue. As people go online for content how can these more traditional mediums still manage to make money if all, or most, of their content can be found for free or for a nominal price on the internet. There is still an audience for it, but the cost to produce high quality programming or expensive investigative news will deter mediums for producing these items in favor of low budget media.

This post shines a spotlight on how we adapt to new technologies and enjoy entertainment in different ways with these advances. When radio debuted, my grandparents gathered with their families to listen to FDR. My parents watched Ed Sullivan religiously on Sunday nights. Me & my sister’s lives were changed when we got MTV in the 80′s and now I watch movies on my phone. With every change in technology our viewing habits shift. The only question is — How will advertisers and programmers keep up with the changes in our viewing habits?

You are absolutely right that the web has changed not only newspapers but television viewing habits. Granted, there is still a TV audience and market for television, but more and more people realize that they can save time and money by watching the same shows they love on sites like Hulu.com or the networks’ own online streaming sites instead of paying hundreds of dollars for cable each month. This fundamental shift from TV to web is telling of how technology affects content and audience and vice versa. Online audiences tend to have shorter attention spans; I think we’ll see TV, in an effort to recapture viewers or gain new ones online, adjust their content accordingly. Advertisers are less likely these days to spend big dollars on TV ads because of the expense and inability to target audiences whereas web advertising allows them to use hyperlocal methods to zero in on desired target audiences based on web surfing preferences. There’s also the ever-present pressure social media puts on television, because it is a continuous stream of content whereas television has more structure to it. One thought that sums up this entire convergence of television and online is that online can likely exist without television, but the reverse isn’t true. Television needs to have a complementary online presence to remain competitive and relevant to its viewers.

I agree that the Internet has changed the mass media landscape as a whole–not only influencing print and sound media but influencing motion media, mainly television, as well. However, at this time I think it will only take over to some extent. That’s because, despite online media’s convenience through mobility and immediacy, television technologies are conforming to new everyday needs including that of “Video on Demand,” as author John Vivian calls it. My husband and I have become quite accustom to DVRing all of our favorite shows and watching them at our own leisure. To me, this is just as convenient as watching them online when I have time, plus, I get to watch them on a larger screen. Now, I would say one plus the Internet offers is mobility. However, we have AT&T Uverse, and it offers an on-the-go technology where I can download my programs straight to my phone. These patterns that television technologies are adapting to are called “time shifting” and “mobility,” according to Vivian. To me, they’re the two greatest influences in how I choose my media today.

That more people are watching television episodes and movies through the Internet is a trend that, I believe, will impact cable and satellite companies more than television manufacturers. As Kim referenced, televisions are getting bigger and more high-definition with every passing moment. Will the Internet streaming trend negate the need for people to purchase televisions? I don’t believe so. As long as people gather to watch the big football game on Sundays, families spend time together watching a television show or movie, and couples rent movies for date nights at home, physical televisions will still be needed. Watching television on a laptop or smartphone is great for one person, but it’s difficult to position the screen for multiple viewers. I think the television manufacturing industry will be just fine. However, I do anticipate the Internet streaming trend, which Vivian described as “booming business” will be troublesome for the cable and satellite services. As more people discover their favorite shows are available online for free, more people will quit paying hundreds of dollars each month for a cable or satellite subscription. My husband and I have jumped on that bandwagon, cancelling our cable service in January, and we haven’t looked back. Everything we want is available online for far less than we were paying AT&T for U-verse. The cable company simply can’t compete with what the Internet offers viewers.

A big question here is: What defines television as a medium? A TV as we know it today is really just a monitor as now the signal going in is all digital coming from a cable or fiber optic receiver box. Web signal and TV signal both come through the same cable from a provider so these receiver boxes are really just computers connected to the internet (or some other server) that decode data and provide a user interface. Considering this, the only real difference between “television” and videos on the internet are the interface and form they are presented in. On the cable box, video is constantly streamed on “stations” while on the web we pick and choose our video selections. Even that relationship is changing as on-demand and other provider services offer a web like video browsing experience.

What has changed is not the content, but the method by which we access it. Television as a live stream of stations will likely disappear in favor of pick and choose viewing through a cloud interface. Advertising will remain the same as video playback will be interrupted to do so just as it is on most free viewing services. If anything, advertising will be improved as ads can be targeted based on browsing history just as web ads currently are. Why will this happen? Well it just doesn’t make any sense to flip through channels when you can just read a list of what content is available and choose what you want. That’s why TV guides were invented. New shows will still come out at a set time, perhaps at the beginning of the week, or even at a set time of day as they go live. Gone are the days of competing for ratings time-slots because people will just go back and watch the other show right after. It is just much easier to watch TV on your schedule through a cloud interface.

I agree with Ashley on this one – television sets aren’t going anywhere. Most video games require one. Vivian writes about how video games became another competition for the traditional movie-goer: young males. If the media habits of my teenage brothers are any example for the media habits of the rest of the country, the television manufacturing industry need not worry.

Justin brings up an interesting point. What is television? I would say it’s the programming more than where you watch it. And, as long as motion media companies take a page out of Universal’s Global division’s book, and allows consumers to pay for content in as many different outlets as possible (through the network’s website, Hulu, Netflix, redbox, etc.), then people will still pay to watch TV and they’ll sit through the commercials.

Vivian also writes about the loss of advertiser incentive because of “time shifting” devices. I think the internet would change that if network stations got smart. The internet tracks cookies to give you custom banner ads based on your web browsing. YouTube does the same thing based on your viewing history. If cable and broadcast networks started to really use some of the internet technology available, they could be a lot more targeted in their advertising, and companies would probably be willing to pay more to reach a better audience. It would be a way for those companies to recoup any revenue loss they might have seen from people switching away from their traditional television-viewing habits.

I think this article brings up a great point and something that really alters our generation as a whole. Television was the main source of entertainment for a family and sometimes centered around. With the expansion and popularity of the internet in North America, Europe, and Asia, families can now access whatever they want and when they want it. There is no doubt that the internet is run on one’s own time schedule and more time efficient. This tool that is being used more frequently is causing television to die and to be honest I’m not at all upset. I barely ever watch television anymore because the internet offers so much more. I would much rather hear about the bands I listen to, or what my friends are doing instead of hearing about some alcoholics living in New Jersey. Internet is offering something that every individual wants because it caters to so many different demographics and needs. In my opinion, television will have to die down soon, but I just don’t know when. I’m not sure if it will ever be completely stopped, but I do think it will be reduced in size at some point in the near future.

I totally agree with the fact that internet is taking away from television. Obviously there will always be television atleast for the immediate future but the way everything is accesible online and the economy is low. People can’t pay for satellite or cable and internet. Instead they would rather pay one solid fee for internet. One thing I have trouble with is buying things off itunes. THe only time i buy from itunes is when i get gift cards because I have a hard time buying movies, tv shows, and music when I know their all available online for free.THe only problem is that it may take a little work to find the right links. People like DIsney, CBS, and NBC are all getting smart with converting to online viewership. They often have the most recent episodes, followed by a few advertisements. Although, I do enjoy the leisure and consistency of cable television when I can. It is nice to just sit there and only have to flip through channels and look for some link to watch.The only other complaint I have is the speed of loading when it comes to internet. I know it depends on your service but here at a college it often is slower than most would like.

This was a very interesting blog to read because this summer I helped my parents pick out our next TV. It was quite a task that required some research to make sure that we were getting the best TV that we could for the amount of money we wanted to spend. There were so many technical options on the TVs that had the program applications like Hulu, Netflix, and Youtube already programmed into the TV along with the TVs being “smart.” We really had to think about are we going to use those applications? Are they really worth paying the extra money for them? In the end we picked out a TV that had the applications but I have yet to hear of my parents using them. I don’t think TVs are going to go anywhere because of the internet. The only thing I see changing is that TVs will become the internet and have many different capabilities besides just the TV channels.

I totally agree with this, it is definitely much easier and such a growing trend to watch things on a computer versus a television. Especially as a a college student, we don’t have access to cable anyways, so the only outlet we have is the internet. Sites such as Hulu can allow users to watch the current season of shows, and it is available the next day after the original airing. Although this used to be free, sometimes shows are only available on Hulu Plus, which is costing customers. I can sense a shift coming in online companies where they will have you pay now to watch their content.

As a Netflix user, I love the fact that I can watch any given TV show or Movie at anytime I wish. The technological advances that have come forth over the years have revolutionized the media. Everything is basically accessible when we need it. I find this more convenient because cable TV doesn’t always provide me with the news or shows I want to watch. It is true society tends to be more plugged into computer screens. Nonetheless, we are choosing to watch and be informed by what most interests us. This kind of privilege is dangerous because society can become blinded very easily.

Being a current college student in the prime era of Internet TV, I would have to agree with this shift in consumption. Every year that I have been in college I have had a TV. However, my roommates and I never felt the need to purchase cable packages. The TV’s sole purpose was to view our movie collections. I have Netflix, a great source of entertainment. While the laptop screen I use to view these shows and movies is small, the convenience and cost surpasses the larger luxury of the TV. Cable companies are going to struggle, and advertising industries are going to be there alongside them.

One of the advantages of Web over TV is that in some cases, you can stream episodes continually without breaks and without having to wait for the next one to come out. If you missed a whole season, you can catch up in a matter of days. The reason that I think TV is not a lost art yet is that most of the time, the first place where you can see your favorite show is on TV. It hits the TV before it hits Netflix or Hulu, and you want to be the first one to see it.

I do think, however, that Web-based programming will render reruns and movie showings on TV obsolete, because of the same concept of instant gratification. We don’t need the TV to tell us when to watch our favorite old movies. We can look for them on Netflix or just buy them on DVD, so when can watch them whenever we want.

I also think that there are a number of folks who are not Internet-savvy enough to know how to stream things online, and I think that TV still has their viewership. There are also certain things that are somewhat exclusive to TV, like local news.

I think that there are certain things that we will only be able to experience through the TV, but the question is: Are these things strong enough to survive on their own even if the Web takes away the majority of the viewers?

We have a TV in our apartment that we use to watch movies, but I do typically watch my shows on my laptop. I feel like this is only typical for college students though. When I’m at home with TV access, I never watch shows on my laptop. So I feel like there are enough people who watch their shows on an actual TV screen rather than on a laptop. When I am at home, I definitely don’t take the time to watch as much TV as I used to. But I don’t think the internet is going to be taking over televisions anytime soon.

I do not believe that even while being able to watch videos or TV on computers, or iPhones, etc. that large tv’s will discontinue. Many homes still continue to have AT LEAST one large tv in their house for families or for guests. While computers and gadgets are nice on the go, larger screens are much more comfortable at home. So even while the popularity of tv online is prevalent, I still believe that larger screens will stay on the market.

As a college student, I am having serious TV withdrawls. I love laying on the couch and watching my favorite shows. However, the internet has provided me an option to watch some of my favorite shows on my lap top while away from home. I am so thankful to have that option because it is a way for me to relax and catch up on my shows that I have missed (and with limited commercials, which is nice). I do not get to watch my shows that are not on non cable networks, such as The Real Housewives of New Jersey on Bravo. Those shows are not offered online. In conclusion, I am very appreciative for TV on the internet.

Watching television over the Internet has become ideal because of the fact that we are “broke” college students. If you have a laptop and $8.00 a month to spare, Netflix is a great option to keep open. When I moved on campus my freshman year, I was actually kind of anxious about how I was going to keep up with my favorite television shows and I know that sounds silly. I think that a laptop is a great way to keep up to date with specific shows, but I doubt that televisions will ever stop selling. I cannot imagine always having to watch television shows/movies on my laptop all the time; I prefer an actual television. I moved back home my second semester of my freshman year, and it was so nice to have my television back after about four months!
I recently got Netflix because there is a certain show that I have to watch for one of my psychology classes, but I have found that Netflix has a lot of shows and movies that interest me. I also believe that the price is pretty reasonable and low for people on a budget!
I think that being able to have the option to watch television shows or movies on your laptop is great, especially when you are not at home or are somewhere where you do not have a television to use.

Coming to college has really showed me how much me and my new friends are dependent on tv. in high school i would always say, “no, I don’t watch tv that much.” I have come to the realization that that is not true! The society has made it so most people bond by the tv. I can not count the times that me and my friends used to gather at one house to watch the new season of our favorite show. now, being in college has made it a lot harder to watch tv. It has come to netflix, and hulo because we are that dependent on watching our favorite movies and tv.
The internet has become an amazing source for college kids. I cant even count how many rooms i pass, and 5 or 6 kids are gathered around a single 13 inch computer. This is just proving still how rapidly the internet is improving. These online tv watching sites are up and coming. I think their success is primarily from my generation which can’t seem to leave the tv screen behind. and i admit, i am one of the culprits as well!

This site brings up a great point of view between tv the web and newspapers. specially in the beginning it brings up the troubles the web is bringing for the newspaper industry. i can relate to this because when it comes down now a days i tend to get my news from social networks such as facebook and twitter. when it comes to the web and tv. a thing the web has over tv is that it allows you to stream episodes etc but based off of experience the web can encounter more problems that way so thats why i stick to TV for my Tv shows. but a different way i use this would if i had xbox live and netflex. as a result i can see tv and the web as the same when it comes to their purposes

I must say that I disagree with this blog post when it implies that tv, both the showings and the sets, are becoming more obsolete in response to internet and mobile/portable devices such as iPhones, iPads, androids, laptops, etc, especially in the college scene. Yes regular tv is not watched as often on sets as it used be, due to the fact that there are more convenient means to do so through mobile or over the internet; however, that is not dwindling the demand for actual televisions sets and this is why. In my own college experience, I found that laptops, though a great means of watching tv alone, cannot satisfy a significant group of people watching at the same time. And also, it does not have the capability to connect gaming consoles, something that is very popular today, especially in college life. That being said, I experienced many tv’s being “hauled into college dorms” because it has the potential to create great social atmospheres as a result of the amount of people that can watch a show or a movie and be satisfied. It can also create a great gaming experience for someone, his roomates, and even his hall mates. In my dorm, a tv is wanted by most everyone. Its not viewed as an alternative to compatible devices. It is still viewed as a primary source of entertainment.

I rarely watch television at all anymore. Especially being at college, with no cable hookup or desire to pay the fees that come along with that. The only T.V. that I will watch is a show called the walking dead which I can stream through Netflix or sports games at my house. I actually very much enjoy not having cable at my apartment because it gives me a lot of time to be doing other things. I feel that T.V. is an enormous waste of time and that we could be doing other more productive things with that time. We only have so much time on this earth, and I want to use it doing other things than watching T.V. Some of the only times I watch T.V. is when I am in fellowship with other brothers and sisters.

I dont watch as much TV as use now that I am in college probably because I don’t have cable anymore. Though I managed to get antenna so that I could get all of the basic channels so that I could watch football. I now watch actual TV shows on ProjectFreeTV. I find that even though I get some of the channels that air the shows that I watch, I don’t watch them on live TV. I don’t watch them on live TV because when I watch it online, there are no commercials and I get to watch it when ever it is convenient for me. I still feel that normal TV is relevant so that we can get the news and have other information sources.

I think that television shows have converged on to online media which has allowed them to spread their audience, air more ads, and deliver a message/story to the listener. Now it may be true that most of the world cannot access the web, but it is very interesting that watching television is on the rise. However, every action has an equal and opposite reaction which would result in many television companies to change their business plan and start making laptops or other devices. I do watch more television shows on my laptop than my television set but I can start to not tell the difference anymore because it does not matter what I watch it on as long as I can watch it.

I found it very interesting that about 73% do not have internet access. Internet is all over and within our daily lives, at least mine. I wouldn’t have imagined that more than half around the globe doesn’t have any access to this. For me, my classes are online, at work I use the internet a lot and even for watching my TV shows on my iPhone during my lunch break. I found it interesting that TV is not being used as much, but the visual media has just transferred in appliance. Laptops are used more often I will say for catching up on TV shows. I see coworkers on the computers during their lunches to watch a show while they are eating. The TV industry has decreased in audiences via televisions; they have definitely upgraded and posted shows via internet. Their adveristers are still being shown within smaller commercials. They target both online users and TV users. Technology continues to move with the changes over time.

It is not surprising to me that the convergence of media inevitably includes the use of a television set to the computer screen. Or the computer now having the ability to be hooked up to the television. I am very curious as to what the future holds for the use and sales of televisions. It is very apparent that television networks will continue to grow. Commercials and advertising can also continue to flourish through streaming channels such as Hulu or network sites. Additionally though, while initially I was surprised by small amount of people that have access to the Internet, I was even more taken aback by what that means as far as the amount of money that is poured into these media companies. It is crazy to me that 27% of the entire world’s population are the only contributors to this extremely lucrative and integral facet of our modern lives.

Television use in my personal life has greatly changed due to the impact of the Internet. Growing up, any television I wanted to watch had to be done from a television set, and the shows being aired at the time were the only options available aside from movies and DVDs. Now a days, I hardly spend time watching the television, and if I do, it is usually to watch Netflix or a recorded show. Most often I watch the shows I want to watch online through the use of a laptop or smart phone. I would not be surprised to see much of the advertising shift from television to online advertisements.

After reading the first few lines of this blog, all I really wanted to do is scream out “well, switching from analog to digital was a bright idea! Wasn’t it?” I live with 3 other college students, and we can’t really afford cable, even the basic channels, so we rely heavily on the internet. Through Netflix and Hulu we get our fix on shows were interested in, commercial free (or very few of them, in the case of Hulu). Either way, we all have smartphones and/or tablets that enable us to watch shows that we like without the need of using the television. Sad but true, the television, or the way we used to know television, is slowly disappearing. Even if you don’t have access to the internet, TV can get boring if you don’t have cable, so going outside or looking for action elsewhere sounds more entertaining than watching boring TV programming.

I think that as the world continues to move it’s content on to the internet, we are going to continue to see a decline in things like TVs, movie theaters, etc. and an increase in things like laptops, tablets, etc. Television and movies are moving themselves online which means that the viewer gets the convenience of choosing when to watch the show they want to watch and how. This is a great tool that, I believe will continue to grow in use as the internet continues to evolve.

My parents always criticized my television habits. I was told that my shows and games consumed my life. Apparently, I would spend hours in front of the “idiot box.” Well, now I watch very little television. I do, however spend a great deal of time in front of my computer. However, for me, this idea of watching television and movies on a computer screen or something smaller is not attractive. Epic movies and sports need a large screen with an insane sound system to be properly appreciated. My movie watching is down, and I find myself less focused on sports, but when the NBA playoffs begin, I will once again be yelling at my tv screen as the referees rob my team of victory. This experience cannot be supplemented by a computer. I do think television is changing, but the idea that it is dying appears a little farfetched.

I totally agree with the article and its sentiment toward television. No one really needs cable anymore or even really needs a television. Now all that is important is a monitor and a processor and you have access to all of your favorite shows for free! No monthly payment for a cable bill, no hassles, no issues. Also, there are no commercials. You can watch your show continuously without having to stop. Of course there are sites now, such as Hulu, which do have commercials, but they are interactive and are now tailored to your own preferences. All I’m saying is that I also hope that television tries to get on par with the internet age or at least offer exclusives only on and for television.

With the advent of the Internet, traditional TV is no longer necessary or utilized by many consumers. College students especially fall under this group. Consumers are left wondering why they would pay for cable subscriptions when their favorite shows are available for free online. In the article, “Taking the Long View on TV Ratings,” released by the Associated Press on October 16, 2012, reports indicate that 12 percent of viewers watched shows strictly online. When DVRs are included in the mix, some viewing stats more than doubled. ABC and CBS also reported increases of more than 20 percent in viewership via recorded devices watched at viewers’ conveniences. The appeal of online TV and DVRs allow viewers to watch when and where they want. In a time where consumers expect products at their convenience, DVRs and online TV sites allow the medium to continue and flourish.

College students watch television and movies on their laptops and phones, in part because it is the most versatile piece of technology they own. But people in my age group value screen size and sound quality you just can’t get on a laptop. That’s why I think the future of television/web relations is a synthesis of the two. The entertainment center we have in my apartment is a good example. We have a big screen but no cable, dish, or even antennae reception. TV connected to an Apple TV – Apple’s way of interfacing TV’s with iTunes content and streaming computer screens to the big screen. Our TV also has Netflix, Hulu, and Pandora Apps built right in so that we get access to tons of television content. The synergy of television, web, and computers is the next step of media.

I think that computers and the media use is going to keep increasing in popularity and keep going above and beyond the TV industry. It just stinks for the TV companies and the advertisers on TV because they are spending a lot of money on the TV industry. College students, like me, still watch TV. We just don’t watch it on a television. We usually watch it on our laptops. There are many websites that offer free TV shows online like hulu, etc, so we just watch those and it saves us a lot of money. There is also a chord that I own that you can plug into your computer and than it hooks up to the TV. this allows you to watch on a television what you are watching on your computer. I think the media is just gonna keep growing and TV’s are gonna be in trouble.

I am not sure if this would consider me old fashion, but even though I am a college student, I would pick to watch a TV over something on my laptop 100% of the time. Yes, I completely agree that watching movies, tv series etc. on one’s laptop is a lot more convenient then owning a TV but there is something about watching things on a television that I enjoy. The living situation that I live in is one where I live off campus with six of my best friends and we all chipped in 25 dollars to purchase a fairly large television off Craig’s List. It is plenty big for all 7 of us roommates to enjoy a movie together. Along with that, the simple experience of going out with all your friends to redbox or blockbuster to pick out the movie you are going to watch that night is also something that I enjoy. It is somewhat sad to think that the television companies are really having a hard time competing with the web but it is easy to see why. Streaming things from a laptop using the web is much quicker and efficient.

It is amazing to see the shift of attention to each new technological advance happening in our lifetimes. When the radio was invented, thousands of people gathered around to enjoy such an amazing invention. Once the television came along, the radio was nearly forgotten in the way it was once enjoyed. As new forms of media continue to be produced, our focus is shifted on that new experience. Since the internet is providing so many outlets that include several media platforms on an online version, the television is quickly being forgotten. With access to hundreds of tav shows online, there is almost no need to pay cable anymore.
Just as the article says, specific age groups are beginning to dismiss this as a whole. College students don’t always have the resources to have a television in their apartment or dorm, and resort to their laptops and the internet instead.

Our generation is one of technological advances and it will continue to be that way. There are a lot of handheld devices that have movie and video capabilities. Though I don’t think tv’s are in any danger. Handheld devices are great for watching videos or movies when waiting in line, on an airplane, on a lunch break at work, etc. they are used to watch during small periods of time. After a while, your eyes start hurting. Tv is the preferred device to watch sports, long movies, and shows for long periods of time. I’m sure that on Super Bowl Sunday, there weren’t many people watching the game on their devices. Tv is used for bonding among couples and/or friends. So the danger of tv disappearing as a media device is highly unlikely.

This post pretty much sums up my experience with TV completely. I am the ultimate TV show watcher, and the last time I watched a TV show on an actual TV was probably over a year ago (hence the college student life…). Because I hate watching commercials and think they are a waste of time, I used to just wait until the show would come out on DVD as a whole season, purchase it, and then watch it that way. But with technological advances and TV shows and internet being what they are today, I am able to watch all of those same shows for free on TV, the day after they stream live for free, with no fee or payment. Why on earth would anyone choose to actually sit through all those commercials or pay $50 or more to buy the whole season? I am a self-professed kid of this generation. It is fascinating how, as each new advance in technology comes along, the one prior quickly becomes obsolete, and almost overlooked. I full of curiosity at what that newest advance will be that puts online shows and web TV “out of business”. Wait and see…

There is an interesting point that the article makes about there being a lack of attention given to the loss of the television market to that of the web. You would think that a lot more would be said about a major media source fading out because of new technology that is being invented. This rise in advancements has now made accessibility for media far beyond our wildest dreams, especially accessing television. As John Vivian states in The Media of Mass Communication in regards to the creation of the Apple iPod, “People could watch television shows on the road or wherever-and whenever.”
I believe with the new advancements we are making, we have now lost the marvel that TV once gave us. Like first picture depicted in the article with the Air Force sergeant and his family, we don’t see this anymore. Family now, if they even sit together, have the capability to be watching different shows at the same time, because as the PowerPoint “Television ” describes, all networks are streaming their programs now. i believe the Television in the physical sense and through programs, has lost it’s sense of community because of the new technology we have.

Some great insights were presented in this blog about the evolution of television. Being a college student in today’s society, it is true that television itself is almost never watched. Online viewing and streaming from sites such as Netflix and Hulu are becoming increasingly popular and dominating both movie viewing as well as television show viewing. Popularity for these sites can be mainly attributed to the cost-efficient nature of the sites, the easy-to-use interface, and the ability to view these on demand on almost any device (smartphone, computer, tablet, or game system). Newer television sets come with these streaming capabilities and often have these built into them, allowing the demand and ease-of-access even more universal. Sooner rather than later, it is thought that television viewing during literal air date times may become extinct as streaming and demand becomes more and more popular amongst television and movie viewers.

I really is so interesting to see the major shift from television sets to the internet. For me personally, I never actually watch TV on the actual TV set. In my apartment we have a television but it does not have any channels, so basically you can only watch movies on it, so I watch all my shows that I love on Hulu or other free websites that allow you to watch TV shows for no cost at all. Another reason why I also love watching shows on Hulu is not only is it free but you can pause it whenever you want, you can turn it off and go back to it later as well as the commercials are not quite as long on the actually TV.

Not only is the Internet becoming used more than our TV sets, it is also taking the place of television altogether. It has gotten to a point where I watch more TV on my computer than my actual television set. Online television is more personalized, there is an instant queue, the commercials are shorter, and it is portable! The instant queue makes it easy to watch any show you want with just a few simple clicks of the mouse. On monthly subscription sites, like Charter, Hulu, or Netflix, there are not even any advertisements, which allows for a much more enjoyable TV watching experience. Also, I can bring my laptop anywhere, but my TV is stationary.

I feel that the internet is defiantly starting to take a tole on the industry of television, the internet has became and made itself so covenant and easy also at the same time being very resourceful. while i was growing up a lot of my entertainment came from the television, now that a lot of things have progressed and grown, i use the internet a lot more in order to obtain my entertainment. the internet makes it easy for me to listen to music, and even watch movies.