Umm... Did you say IPTV?

Could This Woman Drive Broadband TV?

The story in the link above is about a very popular IPTV show. IPTV is just a term that we funny looking word loving geeks have for Internet protocol TV. Which means, basically, TV over the Internet.

It's slow starting, but don't be mistaken, this is a bigger change than when the normal 4 or 5 channel system switched towards a 300 channel pay model.

So, after a bold statement like that, I'm sure you want me to back it up. sigh... so annoying...

OK, here are a few examples. Your grand kids here yet another call out to Gilligan's Island. Tired of not getting it all (Ummm... why is saying "Little Buddy" funny?). So, one trip to their computer, and a small payment, and they have ten select episodes of the actual show. Then they can poke lots of fun at you for watching such a stupid show.

OK... I can here that sigh all the way over here. "Gee... so everyone can watch all those dumb TV shows on a computer... you are excited over this?"

Yeah, I am. But I'm looking at the bigger picture. You see, we are going to get all those broadcast/cable shows on demand first. But that is only because that is the only way big companies can think, really. And hey, that isn't a bad thing. Even shows that were good but never found a fan base can find fame and more later, even years later. Family Guy got a new season due to it's surprising DVD sales. Firefly got a whole movie based on the same.

But that is just a small part of it. A few months ago, my whole apartment was evacuated. They found strange looking chemicals in our dumpster. And because we are nuts and hung around watching the fun while others went to bars or friend's houses (it was kind of cold that night) we all ended up on TV. I was able to send a link to the new stories that showed us to all my family and friends. So people in other states could see it. If I knew of someone in some other country, that could have happened too.

I think I still here that sigh. I think that the only reason you aren't impressed with such a local news story getting seen around the world is that we are all getting used to such because of the multiple 24 hour news stations now. But think about it... it also means that we all have access to the local news stories of that Iraq news station on an event that effects us all... from their viewpoint. Or that we can see what Greek news channels are saying about other things.

And even with that, the viewpoint is still to small, too focused. The corporate broadcast side of this is important, but not everything. The real push will come from the ability of normal people, those not paid for by broadcast companies, will be able to post their own TV shows about what THEY think, or about what they do.

Your TV show about crafts that teach 5 year olds lessons might be very small... but if it's available all over the globe, then you don't need to drag in a huge percentage of a limited population. Ten people in this city, a hundred there... and hey, they seem to like us in Japan for some reason. It's much easier to find your people.

It's also a matter of device... you'll be able to see these shows on your cell phone, on your portable computer and ... and here is the key... even on your TV. This is the key, becuase when watching some odd show that some nobody in Merryville, LA made, but which is funny and well worth watching, on your normal TV, then it becomes normal. Then seeing some strange vid off the net isn't strange... it's like watching regular TV.

Just like most things, it isn't just a matter of technology. It also requires a change in culture. But I'm already seeing the first signs of this.