Yet, cable networks are doing quite well, what with the success of TNT, USA Network, FX and Spike showing a lot of scripted TV shows that cater to more niche audiences. History Channel and Discovery are also doing very well, thanks to a fact a number of well-liked series like Discovery Channel's Dirty Jobs and MythBusters and History Channel's Modern Marvels and Universe.
In short, the second hammer to fall from the effects of the de-massification of the media that Alvin Toffler predicted 30 years ago in The Third Wave is about to hit: its impact on television programming.
Well put. I’ve been saying for some time that the internet and that quaint invention known as television will blend together.
I think a lot of TV viewing is mere habit, similar to the habit of a morning newspaper and coffee. Newspapers tried to depend on that to keep customers, but no who is really interested in learning about the world around them does that any more. That morning newspaper/coffee thing is primarily older people who aren’t internet savvy.
Television had the additional hook of “appointment viewing.” You watched what they wanted when they wanted. That too is gone with the wind.
December 19, 2008 4:00 AM PST
http://news.cnet.com/8301-1035_3-10125962-94.html
SNL Kagan data also indicates that cable penetration of homes passed peaked at 65.5% in 1998. As of yearend 2006, cable subscriptions stood at 65.4 million, or 58.4% of 111.9 million homes passed, according to the data. Due to two recent quarters of declining cable subscriptions, this figure is likely to drop further by the end of 2007, SNL Kagan said.”
http://www.marketingcharts.com/television/snl-kagan-cable-subscription-data-contradicts-fcc-chairman-kevin-martin-2634/
HDTV (High Definition Television)
is here today, and it’s FREE!
See the Public Service Announcement
Don’t be misled…
you don’t have to use a pay service to have “High Definition Television” (HDTV)
http://www.myfreehdtv.org/body.html
According to two recent studies, HDTVs are now in about one-third of all homes, making it increasingly important for pay TV operators to deploy a strong high-definition offering if they wish to retain current customers. And the Consumer Electronics Association predicts that some 27.7 million new HD sets will be sold in 2009.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6620569.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/cndw/index