Bridging Television and the Web

Being able to watch television programming on the internet is a wonderful thing. Many of the big networks like ABC, NBC, Fox, etc. have already started uploading television content directly to the internet for users who don't mind watching programming on their computer screens. Of course, that puts cable providers in a bit of a pickle; if users can go directly to the source on the internet and cut out the middle men, what good will cable providers be?

Right now, there are a couple reasons why cable providers are still needed. For one, there isn't really the easy-to-use technology for watching internet content on normal televisions. Those that are a little more tech savvy have ways of reaching that end, but everyday users still need cable providers because getting internet content a television screen can be complicated.

Beyond that, there aren't enough networks actively providing enough content to internet users. The logistics of broadcasting rights,on-screen advertising, and publishing windows are still being ironed out; watching television shows on the internet isn't what you would call convenient. If you are interested in watching indexed episodes of South Park, for instance, you will be assaulted with Toyota Scion commercials that are downright annoying and repetitive. Watch NBC content online and ear-splittingly loud Disney commercials will sour your experience.

Because of those hoops networks and developers need to jump through, cable providers are still in the mix. For those providers to stay competitive and keep their services worthwhile, they are being forced to rethink the entire way they provide content to users.

Time Warner Cable will be one of the first to make the technology for watching internet programming on televisions available to their subscribers, according to Reuters . Time Warner recognizes the largest obstacle between people really adopting internet television is simply the technology to get there. Customers will be able to acquire a wireless router that can network all the electronics in their homes, thereby connecting televisions to the internet. Of course, that leaves one wondering how the set-top interface will interact with internet television to make everything smooth and streamlined, but this is a step in the right direction.

Comcast is taking a more internet-centric approach. Earlier this year, Comcast debuted its internet platform Fancast . Right now fancast is a nice way of presenting show schedules, show a handful of movies, deliver TV shows, and even link to Fandango movie listings and tickets. Comcast's Amy Banse wants to make it a lot more.

Right now, movies and television shows are restricted to time frames during which they can be released at theaters, on-demand, pay-per-view, internet programming, and standard broadcast television. Those time frames are known as "windows." Comcast wants to make movies and especially television programming available free of "windows," so users can get the content they want, when they want it…in other words, as soon as it is available on TV, Comcast wants it in users' hands on the internet.

For cable providers to stay competitive and necesssary in a quickly growing market for internet television, those providers will have to innovate the technology and software for televisions and computers to fuse the two together. Either way, viewers win.