Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Before you run out and buy that new digital antenne

It has begun to dawn on us all how much of our attention is shifting towards video content. The climb of online social media video as a way to share and communicate ideas is proof that we just don't want to spend our time reading. Especially on computer screens.

I had lunch with an multi-Emmy winning producer today who poses the questions to me about what this all means. Will terrestrial video broadcast go the way of radio and record label? (it's dying, FYI)

One thing has become clear to me. Digital communication of any kind can all eventually pass through the same conduit, correct? The fact that we use radio waves, satellites, phone lines, cable lines, WI-FI, cell towers, and Bluetooth is simply a matter of awkward evolution, and corporate attempts to control communication channels.

In the end it seems to make sense to me that the highest bandwidth, most scalable and flexible channel will win out. Eventually it will be too much of a burden to force delivery through multiple channels. On computers cross platform sharing, and information syndication has shown us that already. People aren't willing to buy a format if the content they want isn't on it.

Will traditional broadcast channels start catering to an older audience? Will new generations shun anything that doesn't have an on-demand delivery system? What about format and compatibility?

Maybe there is a potential positive upswing to all this. When our networks, and media conglomerates stop bickering about formats and delivery channels they might actually get back to content. Maybe someday the media channels and content creators will be two separate entities who both have quality accountability.

Wouldn't that be nice?

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