Wednesday, February 2, 2011
"Paradox of Choice"
A blog entry by Steve Smith wonders how many people are, or are likely to, "cut the cord" and shift from TV service to getting their TV content via Internet. He talks about a small experiment where 5 families' regular cable box was replaced by IP-connected boxes (like AppleTV, Roku, Boxee, GoogleTV, Xbox 360). He reports that most families reacted negatively, largely because cable was always there, but that most of the IPTV experienced delays in downloading, or uncertainty in terms of what to choose to download and watch. One implication - family TV viewing is still primarily a passive pastime. Another - in these early stages of development, IPTV serves more as a complement than a substitute.
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I had to laugh when the woman said, “we really want someone else to decide for us. We can’t be making all these decisions. It’s too stressful.” No mention of Hulu at all (which can be easily accessed through playon.com app). I run my internet through my television using a Wii. No slow loading of movies through Netflix here. Also, no mention of the fact that "cord cutters" still access the major networks directly through their tv (or through a digital converter) with no monthly charges, no problem. There was also no mention of the benefit of getting to watch series of a television show in consecutive order, often dating back to the show's beginning. Huge time saver to only watch what you want, when you want, with fewer commercials plus a monthly bill 1/10th of a normal cable subscription. True, it's not for everyone - yet, but for those who don't mind thinking for themselves, it's an alternative worth watching.
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