The Future of Television Is Now
Fist there were blogs (aka web-logs, journals) that started an independent publishing revolution. Then there was podcasting, a way to distribute your own radio show via your blog, and radio on demand was born. Now we are beginning to see the future of television through home grown videos posted on blogs and distributed via Bit Torrent peer-2-peer software. Independently produced, decentralised and free television on demand is coming and it is not surprising to see the professionals running for cover. Citizens are taking the power of global broadcasting into their own hands.
All you need to start your own TV on demand channel is a blog, a webcam or other video recording device and broadband Internet connection. Record your works, then publish it on your blog and a Bit Torrent tracker. The benefits are clear to everyone that wants to enjoy fresh new content at their convenience or make their voices heard.
A lot of wanna-be citizen journalists, musicians and filmmakers are already using the Internet to bypass traditional media and go straight to their audiences computer screens, without ad breaks, TV schedules or censorship. The audience itself determines what to watch, at what time and indeed on what playback device (i.e. their mobile phones during the commute to work).
Promotion of this content happens by word-of-mouth and through search engines primarily, although some more business minded broadcasters are using the cost effectiveness of Google’s AdWords keyword and traditional banner advertising too. Especially niche groups, people in countries with strict media control and mainstream audiences around the world are all taking the opportunity to watch fresh new content that speaks their language and is not regulated by governments or corporations. This new form of television is finding more and more followers and with lower costs of video and computer equipment, the higher availability of broadband Internet access, there seems to be only one way to go: upwards, fast.
TV professionals are beginning to find themselves surrounded by successful amateur producers in all fields. Indie Internet productions range from news items, and documentaries to music videos, games shows in garages and feature length films. Although this form of television is relatively new and tiny by comparison, new content is finding its way online daily and as word-of-mouth spreads the good news, it is gaining more audiences quickly.
In my humble opinion the future of on-demand television is here today and I am looking forward to watching it grow and prosper as corporations and governments are struggling to understand what is going on. They will surely complain about how this form of independent television is ruining their shows and threatens to destroy quality, professional programming as we know it. Governments will try to exert control and censorship in order to prevent content deemed inappropriate from broadcasting messages that may be contrary to their views. We will probably see the whole P2P discussion flare up again and go to the next level. This time however it is seemingly unstoppable and unless they keep up, they will loose out in a big way.
