Erick Schonfeld's post on Microsoft (MSFT) and Skinkers (UK-based company) working together on a peer-to-peer software project to offer a live TV Internet feed to view on a PC, asks why such a thing would be relevant in our particular time. He answers that he doesn't think it is, and I agree.
The immediate question of who would have need for a live television feed online, narrows it down to very few instances. Just like DVR users, they want to watch their reality shows and live sporting events live, but other than those couple of categories, live television isn't that important. That's why DVRs will become an increasingly big part of viewers' lives.
Why bring the limitations that exist on linear television to the Internet?
The reason DVR use is growing so fast is because people no longer want to be tied to programming relating to time. When would this type of service be used? It wouldn't be at home or work for the most part. That only leaves when we are traveling or commuting.
Again, only sports, reality shows, or an occasional drama or breaking news story that you may want to immediately talk about with someone else would be of any interest to people. So even if we're traveling or commuting, what we want to watch would have to be on live at that exact time.
I don't see very many people getting excited about this at all. We are moving completely away from this as a model. Unless they're thinking of something else with this, like using the P2P technology to compete in other online video, this really doesn't seem to be the type of thing that Microsoft should be spending their time on. I don't see any upside with this.
The only potential value I see in this, is if a show from another country that can't be viewed there is able to be watched online. That might make sense for some networks in America say, who then would have a larger audience tuning in to their offerings from around the world. The same problem arises though in when would viewers be able to watch it.
Anybody see any value in this?
Comment Preview