Its On! (Free Internet TV - Watch TV Online)

Get ready because "there's going to be television out the wazoo!" This according to Jonathan Klein, the president of CNN - U.S. operations in a USA Today story on the merger of the Internet and television. Major broadcast networks, cable networks, and content providers are gearing up for the 'mother of all media battles' in staking out territory on the new and rising medium called "Internet TV". Basically it's video online, which is not new, but what is new is that the major networks are now getting fully involved. Klein continued, "It will be pausable, searchable, with all the customizable 'on demand' advantages of the Internet. It's a future that's not very far away" Klein did not elaborate on how long it will take, what a 'wazoo' is, or how a television would fit through it.

CNN has recently changed it's Internet news business model by trashing the $5.00 per month subscription price for video, in favor of a pure advertising model. The coverage is more extensive, and finally it's for free. The way they previously baited news junkies was unconscionable.

CNN Online: "Breaking Story: A reporter was caught with his 'camera on' as Marines repelled a surprise attack by al Queda in Afghanistan ... click here to see video."

Me: "click"

CNN Online: "First we need you to fill out this form and sign this contract!"

Me: "Oh...shoot me now...!"

I prefer being slowly brainwashed with banners and branding ads, than being harassed to cough up a credit card, don't you?

CBS News which sat on the sidelines while its competitors ran the table with 24 hour cable news will not be trumped again. They recently opened up www.cbsnews.com and is investing big bucks in beefing up the video. You can even pick the reports to customize your own newscast.

Nippon TV in Japan is a step ahead in Internet TV and will be offering pay-per-view services by the end of the year. Their marketing department has also come up with a brilliant and creative name: "The Second Nippon Television Network".

Major broadcasters like ABC, ESPN, Foxnews, Major League Baseball, MTV, BBC, Telemundo and others already offer video online with a TV-ish feel but a tidal surge of new programming is just on the horizon.

Cable TV made room for specialty channels targeting smaller audiences such as the Golf Channel, and the 4-hanky super-drama "Bassmaster", now we can expect Internet TV to diversify even more. For example, the parent company of HGTV and The Food Channel will launch 10 Internet channels by 2006, the first one being "The Kitchen Remodel Channel." I kid you not. Maybe the first spinoff show will be "The Linoleum Channel". I'm hoping for the "The Chain Link Fence Channel."

Netflix, the online movie rental company, is in negotiations with the studios over the rights to broadcast movie content online. Will the cable industry continue to provide the cable modem broadband services that allow web-surfers to get movies from their competitors? Stephen Burke, COO of Comcast believes that web video watchers only want short clips and doesn't see any threat to their core business by people downloading movies. Ned Peabody, a blacksmith in 1890, also said that the horseless carriage was a noisy smoky bucket of bolts and would never replace the dependable horse. OK, I made that up, but I bet there was a blacksmith who said something like that. Anyway, you get my point. If movies can be purchased for a reasonable price, downloaded quickly, with good quality, and played on a large monitor, how will that not take a big bite out of the "Movies On-Demand", and Pay Movie Channels of Comcast, Time-Warner and other cable providers?

Yes, we're heading right into the perfect storm of four major influences conflagrating simultaneously creating ripe conditions for a world wide sea change!

1) Video imaging technology is coming of age. The picture is reasonably clear now on a computer or TV monitor without squinting and migraine headaches.

2) Broadband use reached 35 million users and is rising rapidly. That means that there are 40% less computer keyboards being smashed in frustration, ripped out of the computer, thrown against the wall and then kicked while the person waits endlessly for choppy video streams. (That stat may be just in my household)

3) Online advertisers are paying big time, spending 11.2 billion this year alone. Entrepreneurs like that "B" word.

4) Most importantly, video storage and streaming is now cost effective and will make a lot people rich. Or should I say, a lot of rich people, richer.

So lets review: ...the mother of all media battles...the chain link fence channel...horseless carriages...and a perfect storm. "It's On!"

Maybe one day we'll each have our own channel. But if there's 6 billion channels and still nothing on, what then? Maybe we can go outside, take a hike and get some exercise? Or we can get on our treadmills and watch "The Walking Channel." Hey, that sounds like a good idea! Here's the slogan, "Where do you want to walk today?" It's video and sound on serene paths from all around the world. Trust me, if it's not available now, it will be. Maybe you're the one to do it. Send me a percentage!

Rick David writes a feature column entitled, "Don't Laugh, It Could Happen To You" for San Diego Merchant America.com

---

Wanadoo: 17.99 Pounds 1Mbps Service

Wanadoo 17.99 pounds 1 mbps service getting good reviews.Want a smoking deal on broadband service? The real deal in smoking deals may have finally arrived. Wanadoo Broadband,... Read More

Ka Band -Affordable Satellite Internet On The Way!

Ka Band VSAT* satellite internet technology has enormous possibilities for telecommuters, rural locations and eventually for Motor Home users around the U.S. - if it works! Ka... Read More

Long Arm of the Law Reaches New Internet (RIAA, Internet-2, i2hub Lawsuit)

Have you heard of the new Internet? It's called Internet 2 and this time they're not fooling around. The Abilene Network , begun in 1999 provides the... Read More

Internet Service Providers

Internet Service Provider or ISP is a company that provides access to the Internet.Before choosing an ISP, it is important to assess your company's business and marketing... Read More

Its On! (Free Internet TV - Watch TV Online)

Get ready because "there's going to be television out the wazoo!" This according to Jonathan Klein, the president of CNN - U.S. operations in a USA Today... Read More

How to Secure your DSl / Cable Internet Connection Against Malicious Attacks

Securing your Windows Xp computer is done by achieving two main tasks.The first, is to prevent unauthorized users sitting at your computer and logging in through your... Read More

Whois Protocol - TCP/IP Suite

The Whois protocol is an information service not unlike the finger service. The Whois protocol provides the client or user with information about the owner of a... Read More

Wireless Technologies in Mass Transit for Convenience and Safety

Modern Mass Transit is making it easier for commuters, especially with the latest inter connecting wireless technologies. Many buses, commuter trains, shuttles and even trolley cars now... Read More

Searching for the Right ISP

When searching for the right ISP there are a number of items to look at. How much is it going to cost me? What is the connection... Read More

Cheap Internet Access

For anyone trying to get the cheapest internet available, there are tons of options available. Some providers offer completely free service. But the trade-off is permanent pop... Read More

Broadband

Broadband is the name given to a high-speed Internet connection that provide large bandwidth. It is a quick connection, typically "always-on" and capable of transmitting data at... Read More

Wireless Network Hammerin

The wireless network in my house went haywire. It worked on three PCs, one had a horrible connection, and one can't connect. Between Hubby and me, we... Read More

Google Talk Reviewed

So you're sick and tired of AOL Instant Messenger. You're looking for something fresh and new that will just work. Well Google feels the same way. On... Read More

How Peer to Peer (P2P) Works

Peer to Peer (P2P) Technology- How it works:Ever wondered how P2P works? This guide will run down most of the major P2P services and how they work.... Read More

How to Get Broadband

Getting broadband services getting easy, but research still required.Broadband Internet services have become more the norm today, unlike the dial-up days of the late 1990s. With greater... Read More

Broadband is State-of-the-Art Internet Access: How Can a Broadband Cable Benefit You?

We are now well ensconced in a time when the Web is riddled with graphics, animations, sounds, and videos, bringing about a necessity for superior internet access... Read More

Broadband Satellite Antenna Pizza Box Size

Thanks to the transfer technologies and governments spending on military needs, soon the public will have Broadband Satellite antennas no larger than the dimensions of a Pizza... Read More

Broadband Connection to the Central Sun

You may have noticed the expansion of consciousness that has taken place since the Harmonic Concordance. This is due to the new Broadband connection that has been... Read More

Wi-Fi Hotspot Security

You've set up your Boingo account, you're hanging out at the Home Turf sports bar in LAX and you figure you'll do a little business or check... Read More

Mind Machine Interfacing

SQUID:In 1984 I was partnered with a Cable TV engineer and founding father by the name of Ray Osborne. He was working with people developing oscillating noise... Read More

How to Test Your DSL and Cable Internet Connection Speed

There are two measured elements that determine your internet connection speed. They are: The download rate, and the upload rate of data measured in bits per seconds.... Read More

Wifi Hotspot Locations for Sale..is that a Good Thing?

Recent companies have been advertising wifi hotspot locations that are 'turnkey' (they can run themselves), and only cost between $13,000 and $20,000 to start. Is that good?First... Read More

Why You Should Switch To A Fast Internet Connection

With high-speed Internet access becoming available in more and more areas, perhaps it is now available in your neck of the woods. If it is, you might... Read More

What is Broadband?

Defining broadband can get complicatedThere are many different takes on how to actually define the word: broadband. The first and most obvious way to define it is... Read More

The Coming Television Revolution

The revolution is just getting started and will be begin to make its mark this year. By 2010, it will begin to take off. By 2025, it... Read More

Find the Best Broadband Provider for You

To find the best broadband provider for you takes some effort.Like anything in life, doing the research is critical to getting the best product at the best... Read More