TV IS DEAD?

PROGRAMME 5: THE NEW RULES

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

00:00 – 00:52

A general overview of the challenges facing the TV industry.

00:52 – 01:30

Broadcasters are losing young viewers to the internet. Other players compete for their attention.

00:30 – 03:48
The new rules of the game

Financiers who invest in TV companies worry about how they are going to make money in the future. Through the internet, virtually anyone can broadcast to a global audience. Computer-savvy users want to be active in the field of artistic creation.

03:48 – 07:40
User-generated content

A huge variety of content is shown on the internet, much of it of dubious quality. TV is a conservative medium – it takes time to get programmes made and broadcast. The internet allows spontaneity and direct access to viewers' preferences. As broadcasters respond by making their material available online, viewers are able to watch high-quality content for free.

07:40 – 10:30
New players

Increasing broadband speeds allow for more broadcast-quality content to be available online and for new players who bypass traditional commissioning processes to be brought in.

I0:30 – 13:36
Internet TV

Companies like Narrowstep have overcome issues such as poor quality and speed of service and offer big-name clients the opportunity to have their own TV channel on the net. Advertisers can use the internet to target audiences with content that is of direct interest to them. TV can be combined with the functionality of the internet, making a richer experience and increasing opportunities for internet-TV businesses.

13:36 – 16:32
Aggregator sites

Content producers package material online, where advertising can be more effective. Aggregator sites act as a hub where users go to find the kind of TV they want. Newcomer Joost puts programmes provided by content makers into a collection of schedules that the user can navigate, putting them in control. They can watch for free, but must view a targeted ad at the start of each programme.

16:32 – 24:00
Convergence

The divide between internet and traditional TV is changing as it becomes possible to access internet material on television. Systems like Microsoft Media Centre bring computer functionality to the TV screen and challenge the broadcasters' role as exclusive suppliers of content. With convergence comes more choice. 'Choice fatigue' may lead to filters, perhaps provided by broadcasters.