Traditional television only offers a limited number of shows during a specific period of time. Television is similar to attending a theatrical production. In order to watch a specific show you must structure your time around that particular program. Everyday millions of people turn on their television sets at 6:00 P.M. to watch the daily news. Many individuals do not get home in time to watch the 6:00 P.M. news. Those that miss the six o’clock news are forced to wait till eleven before they can watch the news. This still means that there are only two times during the day that one can watch the news broadcast. This is the primary reason that TiVo digital video recording exists. With TiVo a person wishing to watch the news at a different time can record the broadcast and then watch it later. However, the digital recording equipment is expensive and the individual must purchase a subscription to TiVo in order for the device to work. Internet television has provided an alternative solution to the television dilemma. With internet television, one can sit down and watch the news on their computer at any time of the day.
Many broadcasts that do not have large enough markets to become a cable or satellite channel market are turning to internet TV. If there is a smaller market for a certain broadcast material then there will be less people viewing the content on the internet. This would decrease the required amount of bandwidth for the particular broadcast. It would cost $150,000 initially to add a channel to sky satellite service and $70,000 a month to keep the channel on the air. Many small market broadcasts have found that setting up a website to disseminate your material is quicker and cheaper.
The internet television has also brought rise to niche markets. The demand for foreign broadcasts in languages other than English will continue to increase as the percent of immigrants in the U.S. increases. America is a melting pot that has given rise to a diverse population. As special interests of individuals within our nation continue to grow the possibility of pleasing everyone with tailored broadcasting seems unlikely. Eventually the number of special interests will outnumber the possible channels that satellite and cable providers can accompany. Inevitably the consumer demands will drive the conversion to a system where individuals have greater control over the available programming.
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