[opendtv] Re: Content Distribution Getting Cloudy (DECE UltraViolet)
- From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:43:59 -0400
At 6:12 PM -0500 9/21/10, Manfredi, Albert E wrote:
Point the second. As to "the notion of TV channels is quickly
becoming antiquated," I keep hearing that phrase being repeated,
even as "the notion of TV channels" has been changing for quite some
time. At least 30+ years, since the advent of cable.
What started with cable and is just progressing along the same line,
are TV distribution media. Channels are now either over the top
Internet services like Netflix, Hulu, or Apple TV, or cable/DBS, or
OTA multiplexes. In each case, the "TV channel" can carry content
from multiple sources. The days when the ABC frequency channel only
carried ABC shows are very long gone.
These are not channels Bert, they are pipes, or distribution
platforms if you like. They are agnostic with respect to the
companies from which they obtain content. And when they promote the
content they offer it is generally search based, not tied to a
network or channel.
Channels offer linear programming; they must fill a schedule, be it
24/7 or a more limited number of hours each day. They generally do a
large amount of cross promotion for other programs that are available
on THAT channel. In some cases they may also promote programs offered
by the company that owns their channel; any promotion for other
programs is generally just paid advertising, much like the ads you
hear for TV programs on radio.
Perhaps a slightly different analogy may be helpful here. Most
publishing companies have multiple "programs;" these are typically
different magazines, newspaper, etc. The publishing industry has
never adopted the channel distribution philosophy. You typically
subscribe to content that is of interest to you.
And this is exactly what is happening to television programming.
Viewers are still interested, maybe even committed, to following
certain programs; but they are no longer addicted to the old TV
philosophy that is based in keeping the viewers of one program on the
same channel to watch the next program. The advent of Tivo, et al has
made it even easier to "subscribe" to the TV shows you want to watch.
In this environment channels are meaningless; what the viewer wants
it to follow or "subscribe" to specific programing, not a channel.
And there NEVER was a day when one of the call letter networks was
programmed exclusively by that network. The local affiliate structure
of TV broadcasting prevents this, not to mention various FCC rules
that have made it illegal for a network to produce all of the content
on their broadcast channel.
ABC does not carry shows from NBC, although an affiliate may run a
program that was carried by another network when it enters
syndication.
Frankly my dear Bert, viewers don't give a damn about the broadcast
networks anymore!
Regards
Craig
The guy who notices the number of Facebook pages where the "Video/TV
preferences say:
"I don't do TV."
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