The Future of Television
Internet TV Apps
People love TV content, but they don't love the linear TV experience, where channels present programs only at particular times on non-portable screens with complicated remote controls. Now internet TV - which is on-demand, personalized, and available on any screen - is replacing linear TV.
Changes of this magnitude are rare. Radio was the dominant home entertainment media for nearly 50 years until linear TV took over in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Linear video in the home was a huge advance over radio, and very large firms emerged to meet consumer desires over the last 60 years. The new era of internet TV, which began a decade ago, is likely to be very big and enduring also, given the flexibility and ubiquity of the internet around the world. We hope to continue being one of the leading firms of the internet TV era.
The world's leading linear TV networks now offer their programming on-demand through apps that run on phones and smart TVs. These apps, such as CBS All Access, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Now, enable binge viewing and catch-up viewing. Existing linear networks that offer compelling internet TV apps will generate more viewing and become more valuable. Those networks that fail to develop first-class apps will lose viewing and revenue.
Internet TV is expanding rapidly because of:
● Ecosystem Growth: The internet is getting faster and more reliable, while penetration of smart TVs and smart phones is also rising
● Freedom and Flexibility: Consumers can watch content on demand, on any screen, and the experience is personalized to individual tastes
● Rapid Innovation: internet TV apps have frequent improvement updates and streaming is the primary source of UHD 4K video content.
Eventually, as linear TV viewing falls in viewing and value, the spectrum it now uses on cable, fiber, and over-the-air will be reallocated to expand internet data transmission. Satellite TV subscribers will be fewer and more rural. In a few decades, linear TV will be the fixed-line telephone: a relic.
Changes of this magnitude are rare. Radio was the dominant home entertainment media for nearly 50 years until linear TV took over in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Linear video in the home was a huge advance over radio, and very large firms emerged to meet consumer desires over the last 60 years. The new era of internet TV, which began a decade ago, is likely to be very big and enduring also, given the flexibility and ubiquity of the internet around the world. We hope to continue being one of the leading firms of the internet TV era.
The world's leading linear TV networks now offer their programming on-demand through apps that run on phones and smart TVs. These apps, such as CBS All Access, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Now, enable binge viewing and catch-up viewing. Existing linear networks that offer compelling internet TV apps will generate more viewing and become more valuable. Those networks that fail to develop first-class apps will lose viewing and revenue.
Internet TV is expanding rapidly because of:
● Ecosystem Growth: The internet is getting faster and more reliable, while penetration of smart TVs and smart phones is also rising
● Freedom and Flexibility: Consumers can watch content on demand, on any screen, and the experience is personalized to individual tastes
● Rapid Innovation: internet TV apps have frequent improvement updates and streaming is the primary source of UHD 4K video content.
Eventually, as linear TV viewing falls in viewing and value, the spectrum it now uses on cable, fiber, and over-the-air will be reallocated to expand internet data transmission. Satellite TV subscribers will be fewer and more rural. In a few decades, linear TV will be the fixed-line telephone: a relic.