Television isn't dying, but the delivery is evolving (over
various different media) and the content is being created to cater to niche
audiences, which are of course a stronger, more faithful following. But the
business model will have to adapt because a revenue stream will still be needed
to create profits for the deliverers and creators. That is where I see the
challenges at least.
Technology not only did NOT erode viewing, it did the seemingly
impossible, it actually created time a new hour every day, seven new hours
every week, 365 new hours -- more than 15 additional days every year more
people watch more television, now, than ever. However, there is much evidence
that technology is in reality helping the TV business evolve to meet those
needs. The advent of "social viewing," driven in great degree by
Twitter, has compelled the most passionate viewers to watch, live, along with
their social graphs or otherwise be left out of the conversation
we all have to accept that television is no longer the 'mass
medium' it once was. Yes, shows like the Super Bowl, American Idol and Dancing
With The Stars will continue to attract large, live, event-sized audiences.
But, for some time now TV has been a niche-oriented, asymmetrical viewing
experience many people, watching many different things, in many different
places at many different times. Gone are the days when Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro and
Spot sat on the living room couch to watch Meat head and Archie argue out the
issues of the day (kids, tweet your parents about that reference). Now, more
often than not, everyone is off watching their own stuff on their own device,
whenever it's convenient for them. The couch has been replaced by the Facebook
page, and the next day's water cooler conversations are reserved for Twitter in
the moment.
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