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When I was a child, we had magic hours throughout the day. The news were on at 8 pm on the dot, and a must-watch for everyone in the household. If you looked out the window then, you'd see an empty neighborhood of row houses and mostly abandoned yards and patios. In front of a turquoise green background, male and female newscasters read out one piece of news after the other, from a sheet of paper, stoic as stones and without batting an eyelid even in the face of the most devastating of disasters. We learned everything that happened in the world–and hadn't already been covered in the morning paper. Afterwards, it was entertainment shows with hosts dressed in ghastly sports coats or crime series featuring grumpy detectives in their mid-fifties who'd solve murder cases in gray cities. We had a whopping three channels and were anxious to arrange our daily routine around them. But is television finally dying, now that video and streaming portals are successfully stealing their viewers, both young and old?
The battle for viewers isn't lost for TV stations just yet! At least for Europe, the numbers are still hopeful: In 2019, 80% tuned in every day, an impressive figure that beats YouTube (roughly 70%), which often serves as a radio replacement these days. Amazon Prime and Netflix come in at a far lower 50%. This may be due to force of habit (we probably all grew up with television) but also because of the quality of newscasts, which are still nowhere to be found on streaming portals. While TV stations may feel tempted to cheer at these figures, a closer look will give them pause. There's a huge generational gap between viewers. 87% between 50 and 65 regularly watch television, while only 67% of viewers under 30 do the same. And the younger demographic certainly favor video platforms (81%) and streaming services (73%). Important news to the advertising industry, who primarily targets a younger audience. Private stations that solely rely on ad revenue may start to feel a little nauseous at this point. Reason enough to incorporate more product placements and surreptitious ads into "documentaries" to make a few extra bucks–and water down their already frothy content even more? The voices calling for critical journalism that steers clear of the rich and powerful instead of low-brow entertainment are getting louder. Alas, it remains a rare breed in the landscape of television.
So why do many younger viewers dislike TV? Reasons vary. Many viewers no longer enjoy predictable nine-to-five jobs, which makes dead-set TV schedules a no-go. Then there's exclusive, and often much-coveted, content that is tied to a particular provider. Like the many big series that aired first on streaming portals and pay TV channels–and that feature lengthy plots that span across multiple episodes so you'd better not miss a single one of them (unlike my beloved Columbo that always started out with the status quo)! Some reasons are even simpler in nature: TV sets are no longer an essential commodity in many households, especially among young singles. They've been superseded by PCs, laptops and tablets, many of them featuring big enough screens to offer sufficient viewing pleasure, from small apartments to dorm rooms. That is why less then half of viewers under 30 believe traditional TV still has a future. Naturally, TV stations are reacting to this trend, e.g. by setting up their own media portals and reinforcing their news and life advice sections to emphasize their core strengths. However, more often than not, only small portions of their regular programs are available online, with complete seasons remaining a rarity. On the other hand, internet-based TV has its pitfalls: Smart TVs or the ever popular Amazon streaming devices frequently suffer from flaky TV apps or poor handling. The jump to the online world still poses a challenge for many, even though it has been around for decades by now.
Our traditional rituals are another victim of the current trend towards selective online viewing. We used to make jokes in the past that TV turns a family circle into a semi-circle. Today, only 11% watch TV as a family, the rest usually watch alone (48%) or with their partners (41%). The younger the viewer, the more likely it is they'll watch TV by themselves. Here's an example: When I was young, "Star Trek The Original Series" was my sci-fi highlight of the week. There was nothing else available. Today, I can not only select between all possible Star Trek series, with hundreds of episodes, but have instant access to countless other sci-fi series and movies. And there's pay TV with dedicated sci-fi channels for 24-7 entertainment. So did I watch TV with my (grand)parents in the past because we had similar tastes? Nope, there simply wasn't enough variety and I only got my own TV set much much later. We agreed on the smallest common denominator, and that usually meant Boris Becker, luckily. If the situation became unbearable, you'd simply grab a good book and move elsewhere. Had I had the alternatives we have today, I would have been over the moon!
Naturally, you can't talk about TV without some mentioning of ads. We all know private TV stations can't survive without ad revenue, but that doesn't render the present situation any less disagreeable. The movie's coming to a climax? Now would be a great time to blast my ears with details about sanitary napkins, treat me to a bunch of croaking chocolate-craving kids or show me what's next on your station, don't you think (you televisionary hucksters)? On top, most commercial breaks are excruciatingly long. Who'd want to watch the first movie in "The Hobbit" trilogy and risk staying up past midnight–on a week day? I also don't take kindly to overlays that plug some grouchy host and his cooking show and instantly flambée the thrill and excitement of what I'm actually trying to watch. If you devalue your own content to this extent, don't come crying when people stop tuning in! Besides, it'll be next to impossible for traditional TV stations to match the ease and comfort of streaming services: no disruptive overlays and only a brief program reminder in between episodes. That, I can live with!
So television will have to change to survive the competition. Being free, as in free TV, alone won't cut it. Viewers are willing to pay for quality content, as 171.77 million Netflix and 150 million Amazon Prime subscribers can attest to. Permanent availability, highly diverse content and being ad-free are factors that will shape the coming generations of viewers–and they won't settle for low-budget shows with a spinning wheel as their main attraction, no matter how cozy the past decades have been!
What I would like to know: Do you still watch TV daily? What could TV stations do better?
In Oz, the free-to-air channels all have free streaming channels. They let you watch most of the on-air programs for some time after they've been shown on air. We still watch the local ABC and SBS news and some Foxtel shows but rarely any commercial channels. We had Netflix for a while but most of the content is not for us (we're 74) - so we stopped.
One trend I've noticed on television, both network and cable channels, is that when one program ends, the next one starts immediately, sometimes overlapping the credits from the last one to the opening of the next. Back "in the day", this would have been unheard of, the changeover from one program to the next was always used for commercials. It looks like they have decided that it's worth it to try to catch your interest in the next show before you get a chance to change the channel.
I've also noticed that all the commercials seem to run at exactly the same time on all channels, so if you get to a commercial in the program you have on and want to see what's showing on another channel, all you're going to get is another commercial.
I believe what you said is true with the older generation, but I used to look forward to a Saturday afternoon and evening with Air wolf, Knight Rider, A Team etc with my mum and dad. It wasn’t that we had to watch it, as in the 80’s we still used to go outside and ride bicycles or play games with friends, as there was no such thing as the internet.
The main problem nowadays is that the adverts go on for far to long, and are repeated over and over every few minutes. It’s no longer an entertaining thing to do as a family when for example you sit and watch a classic movie like Terminator, but all you remember about it is the Asda price, and that Flash super mop cleans up the impossible.
We all understand that they need advertising to survive, but every 5 minutes is ridiculous. Also to fit all these adverts in, they cut large chunks of the film out to make it fit the time slots.
Another example is in sports... just say you are watching the Grand Prix, they are fighting for positions and you then have pampers nappy adds and the dfs sale that has been going on for the last 20 years. When you finally get back to the race you find out that the drivers have either crashed or something went wrong in the pit lane causing them damage and have to drop out.
I believe that long sections of adds should not be used during programs but between them, but would not be to unhappy with maybe a couple (2 max) every 30 minutes if the have to, and stopped cutting the films to shreds or interrupting sports events... it’s not like they can stop and get a drink while playing football or driving a race during the breaks
Sorry this is going to be a long and boring
thesis, but hopefully useful.
In Singapore, there are
free to air TV (govt controlled and partly funded),
Three big telco all offer :internet, Cable TV, Mobile
phones (with mobile TV) and i think 2 or 3 smaller
telco with mobile phone service
There are two or three smaller cable tv operators
The free to air TV channels have been cut down over the years
as they cannot compete with the telco on block busters
and they can only show the old Marvel/DC/Disney movies when
the studios release new sequel and they become sponsers with
the new movie trilers televised. They cannot bet
on the FA Cup, worldcup etc as there are no funds.
They surive on advertisements and sponsers and they
also have to compwete with the telcos for these.
The free to air channels offer news 5-6 times a day
in Chinese, English. Malay and Tamil. There are total
5 channels with 50% local content. Obviouisly they cannot
send reporters all over the world, so except for SEAsia
and China foreign news agencies are used (BBC, CNN etc)
In fact part time correspondents are used for some
SEAsia countries (share with other TV stations in the
region) and for English news they may simply use foreign
news agency.
The telcos are not faring better. The contract for HBO/Disney etc moives,
Sports events, news channels, Nat.Geography, History etc
are for only one or most 2 yrs. some are packaged with less favourite
channes. The greedy US/Wester/sports conglo. had made
the bidding higher and higher every year. And now we
had the phenomenon of having to pay to two telco for
viewing both FAcup and World tennis or World cup
as each of 3 telco may hold one event to broadcase in
our country.
One other major factor is we used to have broadband
and tel. line for internet/TV. Now they have all switched
to fibre broadband. This means rewiring for tens of thousands
of homes. The telco sell u the idea of getting internet/mobile/
cable TV as a bundle WITH Mobild TV added! Then one can
watch TV anywhere within the need of cable point.
Most youth in Singapore now watch TV and movies on their
mobile phones. Only the old folks still stick to their
TV, just like newspapers. Some like my nephew dont buy
newspaper and dont believe in them, he only got his news
from the internet. (A big mistake, as u only seek the
news u want from the internet, and the newspaper gives
u ALL the news (whether biased or not u had to judge
but they are given to u in a bundle) and u will miss
less of the important one.
One year back I had finally cease my broadband TV
keep only the internet and bought a Android TV box.
I had been using android TV box before, but they are\
always fitted with Cloud TV and some movies app. The
cloud TV app stopped after one year and there is no
way to renew it. It has plenty of news/movies/doc
etc from all over the world. The connection at times
is slow and some times stopped due to blockage at
various countires.
I believe in the west IPTV is more prevalent, it is
on sale on the internet, but there are countries blocking it
too.
My latest andorid TV box is an eye opener. It is a
TV box for China but added apps from other countries
by the local importers in SEAsia. The menu shows
clearly : China, HK, Taiwan, Korea, Some arab counrtries
etc, but sadly none from US or Europe.
When I browse thru each countries, I find it interesting
that China itself do NOT have HBO, FOX, Disney, Netflex,\
Warners, CNN, etetc all those western channels. They
only have about 40-50 channels (Taiwan more than 100)
20 govt and 30 provincial. There are channels for military,
science, history, music, culture. The movies channels
deserve special mention. Here is where I feel if u
think the Chinese are less informed and less cultured
the movie channels will wake u up. They had a govt
movie unit which buy movies and translate them, all
with Chinese subtitles, some with Chinese dialogue
with their own actors, actresses, directors etc.
The BBC sherlock holmes servies, old Star Movies,
and some movies u will never find in HBO/Netflex.
These are:
Jap: A time shift drama abt a abandoned provision
shop realted to an orphanage and its occupants.
An old station master who devote his whole life
at a train station and his daughter(raised by divoced
wife) came in disguie to see him
India: An nakded alien landed in India to study earth
lost his space ship remote control, seeks help
from all 4 religons and fall inlove with a TV
hostess who fights a regligous cult, but had
to sadly leave after reuniting her with her boyfriend
A female teacher suffering from incurable disease
with hiccup, overcuing all odds to turn her 9F
class into the top, and the jealous male teacher's
plot to sabotage them by giving her students the
exam papers to cheat.
Europe/USA
Chorus - a ex-music director turning the hopeless
and abused orphage students into a choir
Anna(I think)- a girl who is afraid of horses but
boast of knowing horses (her uncle is a stable owner)
and her becoming a hero to save a "mad" horse
from being killed for insurance claim
They dont have big budget, and obviously Hollywood will
not sell them cheap. So they do repeat these shows. But
I am not tired of viewing some of these heart wrangling
movies.
My final point is about file sharing. In the
US and the west, file sharing means downloading
and they are illegal and prosecuted.
In China, it is also illegal but just like the West
they do exist. But the way it is done is not the same
There are legal video sites such as You-ku 9I think
this is how it is spelt) and Tencent's site. One has
to pay a fee to be a member and they do show legally
purchased or produced movies. They alo do dirty trick
like u can hop to future episones by paying more.\
Then the next tier is the pirate sites which open to
paid members only.
The next tier allows non-paying guests to download
non-HQ versions or older movies.
The even lower tier allows downloading all movies
and they survive by watermaking all movies with their
sponers (On line casinos based in Macau or Taiwan, these
are outlawed in China too).
Some sites do check on your internet address and if
u are outside China, u are out if u dont have VPN.
Now the final interesting part, there are also
plenty of ONLINE viewing sites, that allows u to
view the movies free but in You-tube quality.
Now mind u. I did not try all these sites especially
those require payment or register as members, only some
of the free sites.
So u see, China is not a closed country, the Chinese
even if they are poor, can view online movies if they
like, if the are rich, they join the top rank sites.
It is a paradox, the govt movie agency takes all
the pain to cultivate their citizens by investing
in all those human movies, yet some of their citizens
or business entities or their local party secretaries
commiting corruption or uncivil acts. But I can see
their govt, or some one in there, are trying to make
their citizen good.
But as far as i can see, the China model probably will
enable their TV news/movie channels survive but the western
model may not.
I leave the judgment to u,
I usually record programmes and watch them at a time which suits me (fast-forwarding past the adverts). If I miss a programme, it's nearly always available on i-player or similar.
In the UK, we have over 100 Freeview TV channels. I don't have enough time to watch all the programmes which appeal, so why on earth would I pay for yet more channels?
Yes I still watch TV, but record almost everything that interests me and watch it as and when I want to. Just simply fast forward the ads. I also watch Netflix when there is nothing of interest on 'normal' TV.
Our household (2 adults in their late 60s) has a separate room outside of our normal living and entertaining space with a TV, We seldom have the television turned on when we have company. We also do not have TV programs that we set aside a regular time to watch. We are more apt to watch movies or occasional sports programming than to watch TV "shows". Finally, we prefer our NEWS programming to be from written word and Internet news outlets. It is often more factual and less sensational.
Yes I do watch normal TV daily mainly for news programs. Most programs I record and watch at my choice of time.
I am 60 years old now. My memory must be failing me.
What exactly is a television? Is it the thing that makes
those dinners in the 3 portion foil pan/serving platter?
Hi, One item you may have missed is the choice of some 250 plus standard TV broadcasts plus Sports and Movie channels, NetFlix and Youtube are included in some ‘Black Boxes’, from which you may select, with some recording up to six programs at the same time. However in my case 98% of programmes that are Broadcast Live are all watched when I WANT to watch out of time over a few days, I seldom notice the adverts every 10 mins or so, I have with the added benefit of 5:1 Cinema sound (or 7:1) for the ‘Big Movie’ on a large HD or Ultra Television. If quality is your goal without eye sore with Tablets, sit back with others, relax at a distance of at least one and a half times the diagonal screen size with your favourite tipple. And decide which Live News TV Broadcast at 6pm you will watch or later that night! Just a thought for your readers?
Not only can we choose when to check news/watch our favourite shows, now we get notifications about these subjects. Furthermore, the interweb even feeds us stuff it knows we like!
You're right, Sven. In the 'old' days, there was little choice in the TV anyone could watch, the state broadcaster BBC (Auntie Beeb, as the late, lamented Kenny Everrett called it), comprising bbc 1, bbc 2, and itv the independent broadcaster. There were other channels added later, but they were the main channels. Television used to be fun in those days, with Saturday nights being looked forward to. Shows on a saturday would pull figures of twenty million quite regularly, and people at work the following monday would say things like,"Did you see Monty Python on saturday night? They were hilarious!" It doesn't happen any more, because everybody is watching something different. There's talk in Parliament about no longer penalising people for non-payment of television licence, which has been with us forever,it seems. people no longer have a dual choice in what to watch, they have hundreds of choices, and they can watch whatever they want, to now. With Streaming, and a robust internet connection, the choice is even greater.
I would like to differ on your interpretation of when the news was televised. Or is it you weren't a British born person. In the UK news had, 2 different time slots. 6pm for BBC and ITV (independent TV). then later for BBC it was 9pm (later moved to 10pm) and for ITV has always been !0pm.
Being German, I never had the good fortune of receiving BBC programs!
Ni Sven,
Ah yes I remember it well but then I remember sitting aroung a radio before TV. But I think TV, as it has existed, is dead. As you say the relentless never ending commercials ruin your viewing pleasure and being linear is limiting in so many ways. What is available online now even just via YouTube is far more interesting. I like that there are so many small but imaginative creators who can now put their creations up and potentially be seen by millions of people worldwide. I don't watch TV any more it has become a propoganda machine and has nothing to do with with entertainment.