StoryBoard Tv

If you’ve been reading this blog, you’ve noticed by now that I’m turning tech crazy. I promise, after today, I will get back to more philosophical/theological issues regarding TV.

But I’m just so excited about the future of media distribution. I love that someday soon I can choose NOT to use a cable company (as long as Comcast doesn’t take over the world). An article in today’s New York Times features some computer saavy people who’re already experiencing cable freedom. Still seems a bit too complicated for my tastes, but exciting nonetheless.

So apparently I am way behind the whole TV technology curve, because I thought ROKU was the only alternative box, and of course, because we live in a capitalist society where anyone is free to compete, there are TONS of alternatives.

And one such alternative is Boxee. I recommend you check it out. Besides the fact that the design is really f—ing cool, their new software (currently in beta form) makes navigating around different types of media look really fun. Plus, you can add apps that give you access to Netflix, web channels, etc.

All I’m saying is that the future looks bright for webTV. Take that, Comcast.

“In response, Comcast and other operators are busy creating so-called authentication systems that will allow subscribers to stream a buffet of shows — but will lock out people who do not pay for cable.”

Interesting article in the NY TIMES about the Comcast – NBC deal. Read it here. Yikes!

This morning, Comcast reached a deal with GE to buy NBC Universal. What does this mean for the future of television viewing? Time Magazine’s TV critic James Poniewozik speculates in his blog that while it may not mean much in the short term, in the long term it’s a game changer. It’s an interesting article, and I think quite clearly explains what changes we could be seeing – such as being able to watch tv on various media devices, seeing movies released to the small screen in quicker time, and being forced to pay for services like Hulu.

The scary thing about this Comcast buy is that other media companies might also strike deals just to compete. Andrew Jay Schwartzman, chief executive of the Media Access Prokect, claimed in the LA Times today that “if media ownership were further concentrated, consumers would see higher prices and fewer choices.” According to this article, he warned that online video and other new forms of competition could be squashed “before they can gain a toehold in the market.”

Interesting times…

What is ROKU? Well, as far as I can tell, ROKU started out as an Apple TV for Netflix content. It’s a small box you connect to your TV that allows you to stream available media from the nice people who send you DVDs in red envelopes. What makes it different than Apple TV is that you get to stream content immediately (no downloading) and everything you watch is included in the price of your Netflix subscription. Where this wonder gadget falls short, of course, is that you can’t instantly access new shows. So if you want to watch the latest episode of Mad Men, you’re out of luck until the whole series comes out on DVD.

Ok, all that said, I’m feeling a bit about ROKU because of what’s happened since its inception and because of where I think it’s headed. Since joining with Netflix, it’s also added a channel of Amazon Video on Demand (you pay per watch) as well as MLB baseball (so you can stream live games and watch archived ones). PLUS, it’s started working with internet channels. You can now stream some shows made directly for the internet onto your tv screen. Right now, there are only 2 or 3 internet channels, each heavily curated so you can’t just watch anything you want to. But I imagine that eventually, more channels will be added and that these channels will begin to act more like portals than like networks (think iTunes instead of NBC). And I’m hoping too that ROKU will start making deals with internet channels that are live streaming (like Ustream, Justin.tv, etc.)

So, my question is this: Is ROKU the first step in a TV making revolution – one that allows creators to bypass networks and stream what they want to make directly to the viewer? Interested to hear your thoughts…