CommenTerry, February 7th, 2007
In a recent column, Phillip Swann takes Bill Gates to task for saying that TV is terrible and that consumers will reject it in favor of Internet-based video within the next five years. Swann argues that TV is not bad at all and counters Gates' argument by saying that high definition television (HDTV) technology has improved and will continue to improve the quality of TV. He says consumers want HDTV and this will therefore insure that they stick with TV for many years to come, before considering a conversion to Internet-based video. He adds that Gates is obviously out of touch with the average consumer.
As much as I hate to admit it, I find myself partially agreeing with Bill Gates. TV is indeed terrible. It seems to me that anyone would have to be as blind as a bat to not see that. It's so obvious. I personally know very few people who would disagree with that point of view. Perhaps Swann, not Bill Gates, is the one who is out of touch with the average consumer. HDTV is fine, but crummy TV in HDTV is still crummy TV. The high cost of HDTV is not the only thing that's holding it back right now. I am one of the many people who don't think it will be worth the money until the quality of the programming improves. When it comes to TV, content is king, in my opinion.
Unfortunately, Swann is probably right and Gates is probably wrong about his prediction that Internet video will revolutionize TV as we know it within five years. That would be too good to be true. My guess is that we will be stuck with the garbage offered by the networks and cable channels for many years into the future. By the time Internet video does take over, it will be too late for those of my generation. But perhaps this is a blessing in disguise, as there are far more constructive and rewarding things I can do with my time. Besides, when I do feel the need to sit in front of my TV and watch something, there's always Netflix.
