Streaming: the latest addiction of modern society. No longer is it about what time you have to tune in to watch your favorite shows. We have the allowance of watching a number of television shows and movies at our own leisurely pace. On top of that, we’re given access to shows both old and new, from "Bill Nye the Science Guy" to a show that talks about the science behind "Doctor Who."
It’s amazing the number of platforms participating in this revolution, as well. Bright House Networks, Playstation, and even the television networks themselves are streaming their own shows. No more reruns and missing episodes!
Then, there are the streaming giants: Hulu and Netflix. These are the guys that know how to do it (well, Netflix more, but that’s coming from a biased writer)!
Netflix, especially, has had quite the history going back to 1997 when it had launched as a DVD-by-mail service and helped popularize streaming back in 2007. Today, you can’t even talk about television without mentioning Netflix.
What do I love so much about Netflix? It’s all about customization. I’ve met people who drop their cable bills completely in favor of Netflix. (Sounds like something I would do.) Why would I pay for less than 100 channels (and I only watch Cartoon Network and Comedy Central, anyways) when I can create my own, personal network?
At only eight dollars a month, you can watch as much television as you want, whenever you want, however you want, whether it’s on your phone, Chromecast, video game system, computer, or tablet.
Of course, we cannot forget the content. For the past week, I’ve been addicted to Netflix’s own exclusive show "House of Cards." The way the show exposes a morbid and sinister feeling in politics makes every moment more suspenseful than the last. Keeping me guessing means keeping me watching! Plus, come on, Kevin Spacey is in it.
Getting back on track, I have a strong feeling on how television might change in the next few decades, and frankly, I’m excited about it.
Since streaming became a way we watch television, many networks have opened their own applications and sub-networks in efforts to try and jump on the streaming bandwagon. In these applications and sub-networks, users are able to watch television shows provided by said network. Fox, ABC, NBC, CNN, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Comedy Central, ESPN, Lifetime, History Channel, etc. These networks provide streaming, but, as with most things in life, they come with a small bit of “caveat emptor,” asking for information from your cable provider.
It’s always the cable provider that gets in the way. However, from streaming’s unstoppable popularity, there is a potential change in the tides. Now, I’m not saying television or cable will become obsolete, but, will slowly diminish. It’s going to take a while for cable to completely die out.
In a way, cable won’t die. Let’s look at it like “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Cable is basically being revamped to something more convenient, more advanced, more customizable. Instead of searching for more shows and more networks, users will be able to add shows on a more personal level. Businesses like Netflix and Hulu will become something similar to cable providers.
As for television networks, they’ll no longer have to be reliant on views and constantly changing block schedules for certain types of shows. Instead, they’ll have to put faith in more of their projects as they’ll have to rely on subscription numbers. This will force them to make sure there is quality and demand behind their projects rather than throw something on the air and hope for the best in views.
In turn, this could potentially be the better for creators like Joss Whedon, who put something good on the air only for view count to be the cause of cancelation. Will view count become extinct? Not necessarily, but networks and production studios will have to step up their game to keep us watching!
With ease of access and quality control, Netflix and Hulu are aiding a new change in life. Soon, people won’t be paying for channels they don’t watch (like me). I’ll finally be able to keep my favorite shows all in one place!
Just as soon as Netflix gets “Doctor Who” in the catalog…
