Multi-Media is Changing the Way Consumers Experience the Content they Consume
Is TV slowly going away? That’s a question that’s being posed. According to Oregonlive.com, back in 2011, they claim people in the U.S had cancelled cable and satellite TV in record numbers. In 2010, subscription TV showed a small loss, but the in 2011 the loss had become more substantial. It’s assumed that the decrease was due to the unemployment rate and the declining housing market, which made people more frugal with their spending. Question, why spend on cable when there’s free online streaming?
Netflix (23M) Online Streaming (83M) Cable (114M) Movie Goers (1.5B)
© 2013 By D. Garvin
According to Jeff John Roberts of Paid Content, he claims “the number of Americans who pay for cable-like TV products is declining. Also says that research forecasts claims that subscriptions peaked at nearly 101 million in 2011, but will decline to less than 95 million by 2017.” However, The NPD Group/2013 Online Gaming Study shows that when it comes to watching TV the issue is not television alone, it’s deciding what device to watch them on. Gaming devices is not just for games anymore, people are using them to watch YouTube, play DVD’s and blue ray discs. Either way you look at it, the way we watch TV is changing.
Not long ago, consumer options were very slim for higher end content viewing. But, today there is a vast array of options for the pickings. There’s Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Apple and host of technological devices, including, PC’s, tablets and smart phones.
Technology is getting even smarter and they’re making it more convenient to watch anywhere via the cloud. According to Laura Williams, employee of Comcast Cable stated“I don’t see cable TV going anywhere anytime soon, however cable sales has dropped drastically this year, but Internet sales has had a tremendous increase.”
Is Pay TV becoming a Thing of the Past?
Netflix monthly viewing exceeded 1 billion hours for the first time ever in June. January 2012 Netflix experienced almost 50% increase in streaming hours. Then It streamed 2 billion hours previously to the three-month quarter. Market opened in July 2012 and Netflix experienced a continuous rise in stock, an increase of $70.45 to $81.72 by the end of the next trading day.
The Department of Justice announced that it will require Verizon and four of the nation’s largest cable companies to make changes to a number of agreements involving sales and services. Companies include, Comcast, Cox Communications, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks.
Well, not according Brian Stelter and Amy Chozick of The New York Times. As of May 2013, they say TV isn’t going anywhere, but with Video-on-Demand VOD it’s actually slowly gaining notable recognition. With VOD, cable and satellite subscribers can now tune in “on demand” with their set-top boxes that goes on the television.
Now consumers can view TV episodes, movies, Networks shows from Fox, ABC and more. Cable companies like Comcast understands the value of integrating the cable with online media and smart TV’s that’s internet ready. It’s time to work together because the consumers are moving on with or without them; technology is making the consumers options easier than ever before.
Larry Magid of Forbes shares his thoughts on the direction of television. He says he uses the Roku Boxes on TV’s throughout his home to stream HD. The Roku box is another alternative to online streaming, while still watching TV on your flat screen at home.The box start at $50, you just plug it into your TV using your home network. You have access to 100 free channels; you also get Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go, Disney, on-demand for a fee. The best part is you can take it with you wherever you go.
So, who says online streaming will take over? TV definitely isn’t going anywhere fast, also four major networks are working on streaming local & Network programming to mobile devices.