Never quite sure what the actual debate is on this thread so I'll try and cover what I think are the debates:
Recording. I agree with Old Boy to some extent (please don't adjust your streaming devices
) when he suggests that recording is on the way out. With the market leader Sky only marketing a non-recording device on its website and the Freeview recorder market reducing down to just two players (Humax and Manhattan) it's certainly declining in popularity and in danger of becoming niche.
Linear TV. However, the case for scheduled TV remains strong. Be that news, sports, content aimed at older viewers like Talking Pictures TV or the FAST channels.
Means of linear TV distribution. Some interesting discussions here. But I can't see Sky or Freeview/Freesat shuttering their satellite and aerial approach anytime soon.