As I was syncing my content between my iMac and AppleTV this weekend, I suddenly caught myself subscribing to all kinds of video podcasts. For those of you who don’t know, video podcasts are basically videos that are produced and automatically downloaded to your podcast reader (in this case, iTunes) as new shows are released. As I continued to download more and more video podcasts, I realized that I was in a sense ordering my cable television a la carte! No longer do I have to surf through the home shopping network’s 15 channel section or the other 80 channels I have no interest in watching. I just need my Sports, News and Tech News and I would be completely satisfied with my television programming - all easily accessible to me any time I want on my AppleTV.
By using iTunes, Podcasting Technology and AppleTV, Steve Jobs has in a sense driven the final nail into the cable company’s coffin. In a time when individualism rules all with ipods, iphones and imacs, Apple has now combined the convenience of Tivo with the innovation of Apple to create a way for you to make your iCableNetwork. Most of the people I know only watch a handful of television shows. Imagine if you were to only pay a small subscription fee to have every episode of 24, Lost and Greys Anatomy automatically downloaded to your iTunes every week! You’re already saving hundreds of dollars a year in monthly cable bills there. If you think you’re going to miss your network news or sports news, guess what - they’re FREE in the iTunes Podcast Directory! Try and find a way the Cable Companies are going to be able to compete!
Financially, the networks really wouldn’t lose that much money as they will be getting paid millions of dollars from subscribers of their top tier shows every month. We all know that in every network, 20% of the shows produce are the ones that also produce 80% of the overall revenue. With the law of economic’s supply and demand, monthly subscription prices can be driven up or down, so I’m sure the networks will be able to make this work for themselves. If you don’t think this is happening soon, then you’re about as out of it as my cable box!
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Cable has been pushing On Demand for a long time but it really hasn’t caught on but iTV will make true On Demand a reality for everyone!!
Great article. I see cable TV getting wiped out here soon by IPTV and podcasts on demand.
IPTV and pay-per-program models are definitely where TV is going. And honestly … that’s the way I wish it was. I would much rather pay $5-10/month for the few shows I actually care to watch (plus sports games of course ;)) than pay $50/month for 100 channels I never watch.
It just makes more sense!
I dont watch TV that much, when I do I find there is nothing I want to watch. We keep it because of the Spanish channels. I agree with you and can’t wait until the day you can order by the slice for television.
This is the reason why DVD sales of TV programs are so hot there days.
definitely good if you like to watch a lot of tv. but for me, i try to stay away from the tube. but hey, if it takes down the cable companies, i’m all for it!