TV vs. Online TV
What’s so great about a TV? In simple terms, we’re used to it. It is our comfort zone. We grew up with it and, for the most part, we do not know any better. Subconsciously, we know there can be better, so we enhance broadcast TV with additional services, such as cable, satellite, and digital video recorders. However, the fundamental underpinning of TV is someone else picking what and when. With TV, people are limited to asking, “What’s on?”.
With the Internet, millions of video choices are at your fingertips. Unfortunately, with such quantity, the quality varies. There is an amazing amount of top quality content online. However, the challenge in enjoying is knowing where to look, which is why guides such as Spreety TV Online are there to help. (Editor's note: the author of this article is co-founder of Spreety.) The online TV paradigm is anytime, anywhere, and the new question is, “What do you want to watch?”.
Is everything on TV also on the Internet? Legally, the answer would be no. Notable TV exclusives for 2009 were the Oscars, the Super Bowl, the NBA Finals, and a few popular TV shows.
Is everything on the Internet also on TV? It’s not even close. For sports online, every MLB, NHL, and NBA regular season game is online. For news online, current feeds are available from around the world. For TV shows online, entire seasons are available. For movies online, there are thousands of choices, some free, and some for a small online rental fee. TV simply does not measure up.
As for price, cable TV can run $60 per month, where online TV is the cost of an Internet connection (3 Mbps minimum bandwidth recommended). Where cable TV upgrade packages usually add bundles of items that most people do not want, online TV allows a la carte selection of precisely the desired premium shows and sporting events for a nominal fee.
As for upgrades, TVs are hardware-driven, so adding HDTV shows and movies typically involves purchasing a new TV and DVD player. In contrast, PCs are software-driven, so upgrades to HDTV shows and movies are handled through free software downloads.
So what are the downsides to online TV? With online TV, most of the episodes appear online a day later, reducing the “in-the-know” feeling. Also, an occasional major live event may not be legally online.
If you can handle the downsides, the upsides are far-reaching. Online TV offers savings, extensive content, and the choice to watch what you want, whenever you want it. It’s the future, and it’s available today.
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