Once upon a time, not so long ago, TV used to be the central medium of information transfer in every home. It brought families together for their favourite shows, it provided people with the latest news, and it kept viewers updated with the latest trends in various fields. With the occurrence of the Internet, it seems that TV gradually lost its popularity as a mass media center in people’s homes, yet people still place them at the visible spot in their living room. Will TV survive as means of communication and information transfer since the Internet has already overtaken its role? Here are some arguments which can answer this question.
TV has a fixed schedule, the Internet offers a choice
When you watch TV and look for your favourite TV show, you have to adapt your own schedule to a TV programme in order not to miss your favourite show. On the other hand, the Internet provides you with your favourite video material at any time. Moreover, some of the cable broadcasting operators do support TV channels via the Internet platforms, so the Internet is there not only on its own but also supporting the survival of TV channels.
The price does make a difference
Paying a bill both for cable and the Internet can appear burdening, so many people have to choose one of the two. It is not a surprise that they choose the Internet since it offers many more options and functionalities than the cable. More specifically, it seems that the Internet offers you the majority of the content you can watch on TV, plus many more. Therefore, people see it as paying for one and getting both if they choose the Internet.
The online streaming services attract more viewers
Platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime have become popular among viewers for their films, series, and TV shows. Their original production content is not available on any other type of media. Their terms of service seem practical – you usually get a one-month trial for free, and you can cancel it at any time without signing any contract. As far as TV cable is concerned, the majority of broadcasting companies oblige you to sign a two-year contract to secure you as a user.
People like the freedom of choice, not the programmed content
The Internet gives the impression that you can look up the content you want, while TV has a structured plan which you have to follow. It makes an impression that you can maintain and grow your free-thinking more by the Internet than by TV. In a world where everything is controlled and supervised, people regard the Internet as their personal space where they can interact with others and prove themselves over and over again.
Nevertheless, the freedom of choice can lead to more destructive behaviour and that is what the Internet does all these years. The Internet made a revolution but also brought more confusion and detachment. TV should stay in its spot in the living room, once people get tired of the Internet.