For decades now, television has been the centerpiece of the living room and a staple for family gatherings. And why not? Television, despite what some people say, has a lot to offer us. Between educational programs, sporting events, the news, and nightly sitcoms and dramas, TV helps us learn, stay informed and keep ourselves entertained on a daily basis.
That is, until now. While there's still plenty to love about television, the internet is making it more and more unnecessary, and I for one couldn't be happier. Here's why:
1. The web runs on MY schedule: Unlike TV, the web gives me 24/7 access to the latest news stories, an essentially unending supply of streaming video, music, shopping, games, and the list goes on. Digital Video Recorders have, of course, mitigated this problem a bit by allowing people to record shows and watch them whenever they like. However, a computer is one compact, versatile machine whereas DVRs serve one purpose and one purpose only.
2. Hulu and other ad-supported streaming TV sites:Hulu might be one of my favorite things ever. Sure it doesn't have every episode of every television show ever, but it does feature many of today's most popular shows, like Family Guy, 30 Rock, House, and so on. The last five episodes of each show are available to watch at any given time, which makes it fairly easy to keep up with the most current shows, especially if you miss them during their normal broadcast time.
It does, unfortunately feature commercials, but these are usually never more than 30 seconds long and barely interrupt the show at all. All that, and it doesn't take up space on your hard drive. Unfortunately, there have been some rumblings indicating Hulu may begin charging a subscription fee for its service, so keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't happen.
3. YouTube: YouTube is almost better than television. In fact, it IS better than television. In just one place you can find videos of your favorite musicians performing live, watch cute kittens or see your friends make asses out of themselves over and over again. It's given an animated face to the internet and connected people in a way that television never could.
It might not have any hilarious sitcoms or engaging dramas on it, but the sheer volume of interesting stuff on there can hold your attention for far longer than any traditional show.
Still not convinced? Here's what Tommy Wiseau thinks of TV:
I'll admit that television will probably never die. HDTV makes watching TV even more enjoyable, and various devices help to integrate TV and internet more closely, but I still don't think it beats the all day, every day usefulness and versatility of the internet.
Do you think the internet offers a viable alternative to watching TV?
I don't have favorite tv shows anymore ever since I got my computer. there isn't enough time to watch all of my shows. there is too much going on like checking emails, multiple social network site messages, responding to text messages/voicemails, updating my blogs, reading blogs, reading news, online shopping, online researching, etc etc. I don't have time for tv in my schedule pre-recorded shows are backed up for hundreds of hours it seems, so there isn't even time to watch dvr shows when I'm busying commenting on blogs
We stopped subscribing to Showtime and HBO because it's cheaper to just rent the DVDs of the shows we like.
@mynameisblueskye@xanga - That's true. Also, as much as I like watching shows & movies on my computer, sometimes I like to recline or lay down in bed & watch. I can do that on TV without worry about it going to sleep or the screen saver popping up. Or some anal company making sites remove videos because of copyright.
Not only that, more people still have TVs than computers. I think the internet is a good supplement to TV but it wont take over completely. @methodElevated@xanga - That's true too but I'm impatient & want to see it first run. lol. I dont know what cable company you have but we alternate between premium channels every 4 months because of specials so that saves us money too. If you sweet talk your provider, they'll customize your programming so they wont lose your business. They started doing that the past few years instead of "get this or watch nothing".
Dam good question...I'm use the internet far more than the TV and thats only cause I've got plenty of time to fill...but the TV is good when you just want to rest or are bored with the internet...even if there is a million things to do there ...otherwise the internet then becomes a twenty four hour addiction...but I do like You tube...it fills a an evening very quickly...plus I love the games like mafia wars on facebook...I think the internet wins hands down but thats with only me...and yes I still like TV.
If I'm having a party I'll use my TV for video games or movies, but I don't get any channels on it, and I don't use it by myself hardly ever.
i certainly don't think owning a television is necessary anymore. half the time, i know when my shows are on but i just decide to watch them at my own leisure later. of course, tv will never die, and i'm very happy for that. it's refreshing to have a simple multiple choice of what to watch, rather than the vast tv show horizon that is the google search engine. plus i like to just turn on a channel and mindlessly watch whatever they throw at me. it's nice not to have to make all the decisions.
I think the Internet has sort of ruined television over the years.
yeah I think so.
i think internet has already kicked tv in the ass at my place! everyone has 1 if not 2 computers and watch dvds, dramas, tv shows all online. i can watch during the day when i have nothing to do. or i can watch a whole season all in one go!
tv is there for group use but individuals its just internet! :)
I still like the feeling of watching things on TV rather than on the computer screen, it's just that I feel less tired when I am watching a larger screen at a longer distance.
Ooh! Definitely! The internet has everything. :))
Watching tv on the tv annoys me, after having experienced the wonder that is the internet. Ads, inconvenient scheduling, and the inability to see something a second time instantly if I missed a bit have all moved me away from the boob tube to the computer desk in the evenings.
Despite the obvious bias in the given sample population... I'll throw in my two cents.
It won't kill TV. Nothing ever will in my opinion. At the very most, the two will simply become integrated. Sure, you can watch your shows on you computer, but certain things like the Superbowl and other sporting events were made for a 60 inch HDTV. I won't lie, I like the little rectangular gizmos, they practically helped raise me. Until you have computers with the same resolution and size as an HDTV and affordable internet that can stream that amount of information smoothly, the world wide web will never replace the TV, only add to it.
possible
Yeah, the internet has made television less important and vital. You can get news and t.v. shows online. Plus, with services like Netflix, it's probably cheaper to just rent DVD's than subscribe to those movie channels that show movies you might not even be interested in.
i don't even bother with a cable bill anymore. if i can't find it on the internet, i can rent and watch it on my laptop. my schedule doesn't have any room for sitting down to watch a show at the same time every week!
Unfortunately I live in Canada and Hulu doesn't work here. Apparently they only stream in the US. but I do agree with all the other points. It has now come to the point where I don't care if my tv works, as long as my computer/internet connection still work. I literally feel lost without the internet! I actually would consider getting rid of cable to save money, but my hubby would never agree.
Sometimes..when I feel like watching old shows, missed a show, and stuff like that. But I'd rather watch it on my TV.
Comments (33)
Internet killed the television star
Internet definitely destroyed the old rule book TV networks follow. If they don't adapt, they will die.
You mean the TV is still alive?!
Well damn.
- Kunoichi
Not always. At least the television plays the show straight without need to buffer or stop in the middle.
@KrazeeKunoichi009@xanga - i too was unaware... but it explains allot...
I don't have favorite tv shows anymore ever since I got my computer. there isn't enough time to watch all of my shows. there is too much going on like checking emails, multiple social network site messages, responding to text messages/voicemails, updating my blogs, reading blogs, reading news, online shopping, online researching, etc etc. I don't have time for tv in my schedule
pre-recorded shows are backed up for hundreds of hours it seems, so there isn't even time to watch dvr shows when I'm busying commenting on blogs
We stopped subscribing to Showtime and HBO because it's cheaper to just rent the DVDs of the shows we like.
@mynameisblueskye@xanga - That's true. Also, as much as I like watching shows & movies on my computer, sometimes I like to recline or lay down in bed & watch. I can do that on TV without worry about it going to sleep or the screen saver popping up. Or some anal company making sites remove videos because of copyright.
Not only that, more people still have TVs than computers. I think the internet is a good supplement to TV but it wont take over completely.
@methodElevated@xanga - That's true too but I'm impatient & want to see it first run. lol. I dont know what cable company you have but we alternate between premium channels every 4 months because of specials so that saves us money too. If you sweet talk your provider, they'll customize your programming so they wont lose your business. They started doing that the past few years instead of "get this or watch nothing".
Dam good question...I'm use the internet far more than the TV and thats only cause I've got plenty of time to fill...but the TV is good when you just want to rest or are bored with the internet...even if there is a million things to do there ...otherwise the internet then becomes a twenty four hour addiction...but I do like You tube...it fills a an evening very quickly...plus I love the games like mafia wars on facebook...I think the internet wins hands down but thats with only me...and yes I still like TV.
If I'm having a party I'll use my TV for video games or movies, but I don't get any channels on it, and I don't use it by myself hardly ever.
i certainly don't think owning a television is necessary anymore. half the time, i know when my shows are on but i just decide to watch them at my own leisure later. of course, tv will never die, and i'm very happy for that. it's refreshing to have a simple multiple choice of what to watch, rather than the vast tv show horizon that is the google search engine. plus i like to just turn on a channel and mindlessly watch whatever they throw at me. it's nice not to have to make all the decisions.
I think the Internet has sort of ruined television over the years.
yeah I think so.
i think internet has already kicked tv in the ass at my place!
everyone has 1 if not 2 computers and watch dvds, dramas, tv shows all online. i can watch during the day when i have nothing to do. or i can watch a whole season all in one go!
tv is there for group use but individuals its just internet! :)
I still like the feeling of watching things on TV rather than on the computer screen, it's just that I feel less tired when I am watching a larger screen at a longer distance.
Ooh! Definitely! The internet has everything. :))
Watching tv on the tv annoys me, after having experienced the wonder that is the internet. Ads, inconvenient scheduling, and the inability to see something a second time instantly if I missed a bit have all moved me away from the boob tube to the computer desk in the evenings.
Despite the obvious bias in the given sample population... I'll throw in my two cents.
It won't kill TV. Nothing ever will in my opinion. At the very most, the two will simply become integrated. Sure, you can watch your shows on you computer, but certain things like the Superbowl and other sporting events were made for a 60 inch HDTV.
I won't lie, I like the little rectangular gizmos, they practically helped raise me.
Until you have computers with the same resolution and size as an HDTV and affordable internet that can stream that amount of information smoothly, the world wide web will never replace the TV, only add to it.
possible
Yeah, the internet has made television less important and vital. You can get news and t.v. shows online. Plus, with services like Netflix, it's probably cheaper to just rent DVD's than subscribe to those movie channels that show movies you might not even be interested in.
Yup
@nprospect - Damn, I was too slow!
i don't even bother with a cable bill anymore. if i can't find it on the internet, i can rent and watch it on my laptop. my schedule doesn't have any room for sitting down to watch a show at the same time every week!
Unfortunately I live in Canada and Hulu doesn't work here. Apparently they only stream in the US. but I do agree with all the other points. It has now come to the point where I don't care if my tv works, as long as my computer/internet connection still work. I literally feel lost without the internet! I actually would consider getting rid of cable to save money, but my hubby would never agree.
Sometimes..when I feel like watching old shows, missed a show, and stuff like that. But I'd rather watch it on my TV.