World Wide TV

We’re in a big shift with online video (youtube, hulu, joost, apple TV+iTunes). People want to watch only the shows and content they want to, when they want to. Cable TV is going to need a new model.

NBC and FOX recently teamed up to launch hulu, a web based video community. Offering up a LOT of content - the office, the simpsons even old A-Team and Airwolf! Plus older full-length films like the Jerk. Pretty crazy. I am however, still disappointed that NBC pulled their content from the iTunes store - probably cause I’m an Apple investor and advocate myself. It really was convenient to own commercial-free episodes of the Office. And with iTunes, easily bring that content to the living room.

Moreover I’m surprised a content provider wouldn’t want their shows in more places? I guess that’s probably why hulu allows users to post FULL episodes to their blog or site. Isn’t that wild?

I’ve also been playing around with joost, (from the makers of kazaa and skype) a downloadable application for watching global TV. Highlights include the first two seasons of Transformers, CBS, Comedy Central, MTV and VH1 + 15,000 other shows and 250 channels. Joost has a really slick interface and a ton of integrated features and widgets. Widgets include chat/discussions, custom RSS feeds, and potential to create unique branded experiences. Joost is rumored to become web based soon, but as of now requires a downloaded desktop application.

Joost and hulu… and youtube, etc are great for watching content online. But, how do we get this content to the living room? I think apple is starting to connect the dots. iTunes and Apple TV or a Mac mini with a wireless keyboard will get the content to your TV. Google stepped up the quality of youtube clips for apple TV. But quality is still a bit of an issue with all things online - we’re on the cusp of high definition content. Faster connection speeds and faster wireless routers are getting us there. World wide tv is starting to come together.

So, cable companies better think fast. I sense they maybe starting to panic, considering our recent free cable upgrade. Cable and DirectTV providers still have leveraging points with HD content and live sporting events. But something is going to need to change in the very near future - maybe its a custom subscription to only the channels you want. or only the programs you want? The massive package of channels you flip through blindly, complaining that nothing is on, is old news.