Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

You may not be aware, jfman, that on demand technology already exists. :D

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Linear TV on the rise as Pluto* reaches a hefty 101 channels. The service was launched only 18 months ago with just 13 channels.
https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020...0-uk-channels/

* Coming soon? https://community.virginmedia.com/t5...s/td-p/4240602

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

According to post #9 in the thread it already exists.

https://www.cableforum.uk/board/atta...5&d=1591832327

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

According to Post #10 in the thread, it has yet to arrive.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Fair enough, not that it affects me.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I think it's interesting is that the future of linear TV includes apps like Pluto and is actually leading to an uplift in channels.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

For example, NBCU’s Peacock service will have live streaming channels based around things like SNL and The Office so there is still some value given these linear channels provide some much needed curation when on demand can prove to be overwhelming - there is value in a ‘lean back’ experience and allow shows to just be fed to you and allow you to jump into an on demand experience directly from the episode or clip (which we already are seeing with things like BBC Restart on IPlayer)

Also I think linear channels will likely evolve into some form of personalisation/bespoke channel allowing your preferences to be fed to you in a linear fashion - I’m sure there is some innovation in linear tv yet to come.

Another example from Sky Italia who are going to trial a personalised tv experience - channels are mentioned so that could conceivably also mean some kind of linear experience;

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020...rsonalised-tv/

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I agree and have long said the same, which I call true smart tv or intelligent tv.

In some ways, we've already had little tasters of things to come, ie on some BBC One dramas, you could press the red button to watch the next episode taking you outside of the linear schedule and I think there will be a lot more of that to come.

Which is why I keep saying that I reckon that the bulk of the sat/cable pay tv channels will disappear in the end, as these are mainly showing repeats from the main channels. Once there is a true intelligent tv system, there simply isn't a need for all these linear channels. Don't be surprised to see a Netflix 1 and Netflix 2 in the near future as earlier examples of what's to come.

Nobody wants to wade through endless menus, but we also want "some" control of what we watch and how we spend our time, hence the on demand and linear worlds will come together.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Use Favourites - I reduce 'endless menus' to around 25 channels, easy to find anything I am likely to watch.

Better than wading through endless streamed programmes to find something I would want to watch.

Also, I pay enough for tv without subscribing to streaming, which I would rarely use.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

This is the thing - linear is not dead and it’s going to evolve - hell some people could also argue that Netflix autostarting a new recommendation after finishing a show/movie is no different from a linear channel feeding a new show.

And this idea that on-demand is the future? It’s already happening - we don’t need to wait till 2035 ;)

The real question is how are all these disparate things going to evolve especially as we see the legacy companies move into D2C, pay tv evolve into almost ‘mini bundles’ like HBO Max, companies like Pluto build growth via linear AVOD channels and how tv and film creation is financed as companies like Disney and NBCU/Sky become increasingly balkanised. This notion that it has to be all or nothing is ridiculous. Linear may no longer be the central focus but it has its place in the ecosystem, will likely evolve into more algorithmic/personalisation areas and find a way to serve on demand and vice versa.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

Amazon is developing plans to add live and linear channels to Prime Video. The slate includes live news, music and sports in addition to scheduled movies and TV series.

https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2020...eid=3598503789

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

That's interesting, a successful streaming company acknowledging the need for linear TV. A bit like Pluto, but with newer content.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

The BBC expects its news bulletins to be shifted to VOD within 10 years.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...-goes-digital/

The BBC’s News at Six and News at 10 bulletins will soon be obsolete as coverage moves online, the corporation’s head of news has said.

Within a decade, news will be in “the digital space” and the BBC’s output will be consumed via iPlayer, said Fran Unsworth.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

That’s quite a different issue to delivery of entertainment content. I stopped watching tv news bulletins years ago, because they tell me nothing I’ve not seen developing on the news websites throughout the day. Note they’re not suggesting the demise of all current affairs from broadcast schedules, just the two half hour bulletins that summarise what we already know and lack the time for any serious analysis. The weekly politics shows and analysis/documentary productions like panorama, newsnight and their ilk are going nowhere.

Also bear in mind that provision of these news bulletins is mandated by the BBC’s charter, which will come up for renewal in 2027, meaning we are fast approaching the point when horse trading over the shape of that next charter will begin in earnest. That charter, once in effect, can be expected to run until probably 2037. So what that charter says about things the BBC must broadcast in linear fashion, which technology they are permitted to use for broadcast, and what they’re allowed to switch to on-demand only, will be very important, and (I predict) will blow a rather large hole in the fantasy you’ve been pushing on these pages.

Re: Linear is old tech - on demand is the future
 

I was merely posting the article. I made no controversial comment on it as I am anxious not to upset the delicate sensibilities of anyone else on this forum.



:D