Comments on: When All Content Is Personalized, Who Needs TV Networks?

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 19:05:54 +0000

I first discussed w/Time Warner cable back in 1994 of offering a package of say 20 ch’s. for a monthly fee. The customer could pick any 20 ch’s he wanted from all the ch’s they offered. What they told me then was they didn’t have the tech to do it. I believe they could but were unwilling. I told them I’m done and I cut the cable in 1994 and went w/rental only. In the early 2000′s I started using the web and DVD rentals for the content I watch. I refuse to pay for any cable service that doesn’t offer me choice. Netflix has been a descent option w/the addition of their streaming. I have been saying for close to 20yrs that customers should have the choice to watch what they want when they want and finally we’re getting closer.

By: Constance

Constance — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:26:21 +0000

In reading the comments you all are making a common male mistake. Assuming that the male view is the only view or the normal view. It is not the only view and you can’t even claim average or normal view since men are the minority. Yet men green light all programing that Corporate Media makes. Believe me there will be BIG changes when authentic women get a voice. There is only one financially relevant definition of “women’s content” in a free market, that is “content which women will pay to consume”. There has not been a free market in media and there is very, very little that the female audience who make 80% of purchasing decisions will pay to consume.

By: Constance

Constance — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:20:23 +0000

I can’t wait! Real women will actually get some interesting programing. I wonder how long it will take for the Corporate Medias “women’s content channels” to die since they have never had any women viewers anyway. This is going to be fun to watch.

By: cheese

cheese — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:08:44 +0000

Let me play devil’s advocate.

The remote control P+/P- is still the easiest (and brain-dead) way to consume TV. Why would a majority of people choose a more cumbersome approach? Agreed, FB integrates Netflix integrates Xbox integrates youtube integrates twitter integrates watchamcallit – but this still does not beat the simplicity of a P+/P-.

For all talk of content customization, my two questions:
1. How will this change consumption behavior?
2. Live TV stays relevant for news, sports – unless the content creators in this space move out of TV distribution, consumption behavior is not gonna change.

We might hate it, but live TV rules in the real world.

By: ch

ch — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 05:02:47 +0000

Let me play devil’s advocate. The remote control with P+/P- is still the easiest way to get access to content.

By: Jeremy Toeman

Jeremy Toeman — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 01:57:01 +0000

I hypothetically agree, but don’t see the Guide going away anytime soon… Maybe for the earliest of early adopters, but (as we’ve chatted about) I think things are changing a lot slower in reality…

By: Ben D.

Ben D. — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 00:18:44 +0000

Agree with you Ryan, these personalization tools initiate another step in leveling the playing field between independent content creators and big networks.

Still, at this point, big networks have strong brand equity and quality content.

If they can master the use of these personalization tools, they can effectively adapt to a new delivery method.

Whether they do or not and build a sustainable business model around it is the question…

By: Ryan Lawler

Ryan Lawler — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 20:50:33 +0000

Even in today’s on-demand world, you still generally pick and choose content to DVR based on what’s in the program guide. But now imagine that there is no program guide, just stuff that’s relevant to you. That has to scare the bejeezus out of some networks out there, don’t you think?

By: Jeremy Toeman

Jeremy Toeman — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 19:14:08 +0000

Good article, though I’m really not sure how this changes things beyond what the DVR has already done. The DVR effectively disrupted the “Thursday Night Lineup” concept. Personalized recommendations are the icing on the “watch what you want, when you want, where you want” cake IMHO.