The Future of TV

[Mike]

I have mentioned before to a couple of people that I believe that TV will change in the future and scheduled viewing will be a thing of the past. I believe it will be replaced with a 'renting' service which connects to a central server. You will be able to watch any programme you want by browsing through an iTunes type service - the video will then be streamed directly to your TV.

The service will allow you to rank what you like, see what is recommended by others (based on your likes/dislikes ranking) and also have recommendations from your friends. This means you will be able to watch a series in order and not worry about missing one episode and in addition if you suddenly find you like, for example, the IT Crowd then you could go back and watch the first series to catch up!

The service is already being presented by people like Channel 4 with their 4oD or Four on Demand and the BBC iPlayer. These services are a step in the right direction but will expand eventually to cover a majority of programmes and not just ones shown on specific channels.

Prediction over!

[Mike]

The revolution is starting with a new company called SyncTV a spin off from Pioneer!

[johnriley1uk]

What it won't do is produce any better TV.

The satellite experience has been good in that it has opened up the TV archives and made viewing more convenient, but there has been precious little new product of note.

There is some very good stuff currently being made, but continued fragmentation of the market will make that much harder to sustain.

[Mike]

It will mean that the good stuff will be more watched because you can watch it when it is convenient - not when they think you will be free to watch it! :D

[Andy]

I think TV will go the way you say Mike but I also feel very strongly that more money will be squeezed out of us (i.e. the consumer).