Free Broadband TV - How Internet Is Changing TV CommunicationsHowever, with broadband speeds increasing all the time, and more and more applications running simultaneously over a single internet connection, the possibilities are becoming endless. We've already discussed how broadband phone provider VoIP services are changing the way we make phone calls, and how cheap phone calls are becoming more and more the norm for business and consumers. (find information here on how you can check the speed of your broadband link). Follow the link for a great article on how you can get FREE VOIP CALLS in your home! But add to this the possibility of receiving free broadband TV, and there is a broad and compelling proposition in the market, not only for the consumer, but as this article by Rick David discusses, for the media providers themselves. It's On! (Free Internet TV - Watch TV Online)
Major broadcast networks, cable networks, and content providers are gearing up for the 'mother of all media battles' in staking out territory on the new and rising medium called "Internet TV". Basically it's video online, which is not new, but what is new is that the major networks are now getting fully involved, and with the pricing model changing, perhaps the days of real, free broadband TV, are not too far away. (Follow the link for more information on free digital TV) Klein continued, "It will be pausable, searchable, with all the customizable 'on demand' advantages of the Internet. It's a future that's not very far away" Klein did not elaborate on how long it will take, what a 'wazoo' is, or how a television would fit through it. CNN has recently changed it's Internet news business model by trashing the $5.00 per month subscription price for video, in favor of a pure advertising model, thereby effectively offering a free broadband TV service. The coverage is more extensive, and finally it's for free. The way they previously baited news junkies was unconscionable. CNN Online: "Breaking Story: A reporter was caught with his 'camera on' as Marines repelled a surprise attack by al Queda in Afghanistan ... click here to see video." Me: "click" CNN Online: "First we need you to fill out this form and sign this contract!" Me: "Oh...shoot me now...!" If I'm going to receive free broadband TV, I prefer being slowly brainwashed with banners and branding ads, than being harassed to cough up a credit card, don't you? CBS News, which sat on the sidelines while its competitors ran the table with 24 hour cable news, will not be trumped again. They recently opened up www.cbsnews.com and is investing big bucks in beefing up the video. You can even pick the reports to customize your own newscast. Nippon TV in Japan is a step ahead in Internet TV and will be offering pay-per-view services by the end of the year (free broadband TV is still some way off). Their marketing department has also come up with a brilliant and creative name: "The Second Nippon Television Network". Major broadcasters like ABC, ESPN, Foxnews, Major League Baseball, MTV, BBC, Telemundo and others already offer video online with a TV-ish feel but a tidal surge of new, potentially free broadband TV programming is just on the horizon. Cable TV made room for specialty channels targeting smaller audiences such as the Golf Channel, and with the 4-hanky super-drama "Bassmaster", now we can expect Internet TV to diversify even more. For example, the parent company of HGTV and The Food Channel will launch 10 Internet channels by 2006, the first one being "The Kitchen Remodel Channel." I kid you not. Maybe the first spinoff show will be "The Linoleum Channel". I'm hoping for the "The Chain Link Fence Channel." Netflix, the online movie rental company, is in negotiations with the studios over the rights to broadcast movie content online, and whilst not free broadband TV, this is a step in the right direction. Will the cable industry continue to provide the cable modem broadband services that allow web-surfers to get movies from their competitors? Stephen Burke, COO of Comcast believes that web video watchers only want short clips and doesn't see any threat to their core business by people downloading movies. Ned Peabody, a blacksmith in 1890, also said that the horseless carriage was a noisy smoky bucket of bolts and would never replace the dependable horse. OK, I made that up, but I bet there was a blacksmith who said something like that. Anyway, you get my point. If movies can be purchased for a reasonable price, downloaded quickly, with good quality, and played on a large monitor, how will that not take a big bite out of the "Movies On-Demand", and Pay Movie Channels of Comcast, Time-Warner and other cable providers? Yes, we're heading right into the perfect storm of four major influences conflagrating simultaneously creating ripe conditions for a world wide sea change! 1) Video imaging technology is coming of age. The picture is reasonably clear now on a computer or TV monitor without squinting and migraine headaches. 2) Broadband use reached 35 million users and is rising rapidly. That means that there are 40% less computer keyboards being smashed in frustration, ripped out of the computer, thrown against the wall and then kicked while the person waits endlessly for choppy video streams. (That stat may be just in my household) 3) Online advertisers are paying big time, spending 11.2 billion this year alone, and helping to subsidise cheaper, if not free broadband TV for the consumer. Entrepreneurs like that "B" word. 4) Most importantly, video storage and streaming is now cost effective and will make a lot people rich. Or should I say, a lot of rich people, richer. So lets review: ...the mother of all media battles...the chain link fence channel...horseless carriages...and a perfect storm. "It's On!" Maybe one day we'll each have our own channel. But if there's 6 billion channels and still nothing on, what then? Maybe we can go outside, take a hike and get some exercise? Or we can get on our treadmills and watch "The Walking Channel." Hey, that sounds like a good idea! Here's the slogan, "Where do you want to walk today?" It's video and sound on serene paths from all around the world. Trust me, if it's not available now, it will be. Maybe you're the one to do it. Send me a percentage!
Rick David writes a feature column entitled, "Don't Laugh, It Could Happen To You" for San Diego Merchant America.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Rick_David Summary So, in summary the future is looking bright for free broadband TV, and the possibilities are endless once the advertising model has been completely mapped out. The big question will be around the speed of change of the media providers themselves - some will be ready to offer a 'free broadband TV' service to subscribers, with a revenue model based purely on advertising, whereas others will find this step change a little harder to follow. However, add the possibilities of free broadband TV to those of cheap international phone calls via VoIP, as well as other opportunities offered by broadband internet, eg gaming, information services, and there is an opportunistic model for the future of communications that is slowly unfolding.
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