Last I read over 50% of the wild wild web users are stuck with a dial up modem. Movies/video over the web is still a way off for us poor schlubs stuck with no fat pipe.
I have a 57" Sony HDTV and the future is not looking good with the studios making noise about decoder boxes to block HDTV signals unless you pay their usage fees. HDTV over the air is the cat' pajamas but I think you're right, the studios will kill HDTV.