In a startling report Microsoft is suggesting that within just four years traditional TV could be obsolete, being replaced by the Internet and online TV. Rather bizarrely, the company is also forecasting that Internet consumption will outstrip TV viewing in June 2010 if current trends continue. Microsoft has forecast that on average we will be using the Internet 14.2 hours per week against just 11.5 hours of viewing time for traditional TV.
While it is obvious that Microsoft has something of an ulterior motive for a switch from traditional TV to the Internet, there is no doubt that the trend for increased Internet access has been moving higher some time. However, Microsoft is also forecasting that Internet use on PCs is set to fall to 50% in five years from the current level of 95%. This would indicate a move towards Internet enabled TVs, which should be available fairly soon as broadband technology continues to improve.
There is also a threat to traditional TVs from mobile broadband (including mobile TV) which although fairly slow to catch on, now appears to be one of the major growth markets of the future. When you consider the changing trends of the last decade there is no doubt that our viewing habits and our Internet use habits are set to change significantly in the short to medium term. The key element to future change is the ever increasing broadband speeds available around the world and the new markets and services which are being opened up.