Has New Media Technology Changed Program Content for TV Viewers?

by Michael W. Billups

If you've been around for than five years, you know that TV ain't what it used to be.

Studies show that more people are indulging their voyeur habits using personal devices like iPads, laptops and smartphones than they do using that piece of living room furniture. It's clear that viewing habits are changing with the development of the new toys but has what we are watching changed because of it?

Just as the switch to digital TV transmission a little over two years ago expanded capabilites for broadcasters - like being able to multicast or multiplex their broadcast signal and create a gazillion channels - other developments are exploding the limitations on synergies between the small screen and every other kind of screen on the market.

Another digital television evolution is the ability to make available more media services, such as data transmissions, subscription television programming, computer software distribution, interactive services, audio channels and others.

TV station ownership models are changing, as well. Once the exclusive domain of corporate conglomerates, the profitable fun of owning and operating a viable TV station is opening up to the masses. Take a look at the rapidly growing media enterprise that tech guru, Leo Laporte, has spawned out in the humble hamlet of Petaluma, California.

With a slew of "podcasts" - both audio and video - delivered around the clock, Laporte just recently moved his operations from a small cottage to a million dollar, hi-tech studio that he built with the ad revenue derived from his catalog of programs. Started with simple webcams and Skype hookups, he says he believes anyone can do it.

One could easily argue that there are many more "Leo Laportes" out there already. Look at YouTube, look at Ustream, look at Justin.tv. - millions of hours of user-generated programs - much of it very cleverly produced, indisputably engaging and some even innovative. In fact, look closely enough at conventional television and one is sure to see some of the presentation techniques that originated on internet videos being incorporated on mainstream TV.

With these speeding changes happening in media technology, Who knows what the next 10 years will bring?

Is it holographic television, is it Facebook in on your TV or more TV on your Facebook? Or maybe it's episodes of CSI on your automobile's heads up display? Hmmm...sounds dangerous.

It will be interesting to see what shows up at the industry and trade shows in 2012. Think about it: who would have thought ten years ago that you would be able to pause live TV or enjoy the myriad conveniences that come along with time-shifted video viewing? Something that today is virtually taken for granted.