A Stream Of Content

As technology evolves, so have the routines and patterns of viewers watching their favorite television shows.  Instead of gathering to watch primetime shows when it airs on network TV or cable, audiences are now expanding their viewing through a number of reliable resources. First, the progression of viewing television away from the TV screen initiated when networks such as FOX, ABC, and NBC, began to run full-length episodes of their nightly programming shortly after the first-run airing would broadcast on TV. Sure, advertisers incorporated commercials into the online programming but, overall, it saved time on consumers who wanted to watch one – or multiple episodes – on one sitting without having to sit in front of the television for hours at a time.

Since then, media companies Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO have established streaming services, providing a wide variety of movies and television series for viewing. These services allow consumers the opportunity to watch any content of their choosing, at any time, on many platforms (laptops, smart TVs, mobile devices, iPads, etc).

Just this year, WWE and CBS have thrown their names in the proverbial streaming hat.  In February, WWE launched its own Network, providing fans with thousands of hours of content, including every past and upcoming Pay-Per-View for a $9.99 monthly price tag.  Most recently, CBS announced an All-Access Plan, for $5.99 per month, allowing consumers the ability to access episodes of current shows at their convenience. The added attraction to the CBS Plan is having the option of watch seasons of classics, such as The Brady Bunch, Beverly Hills 90210, Cheers, and Star Trek.

It seems the increase in streaming services will certainly have an effect on cable and satellite providers, as more consumers are likely to shift to purchasing only the content they want to watch. This shift in how the viewing audience retrieves its media content can create both positives and negatives for television writers.

Fans may encourage more content of their favorite programs but the fear of over-saturation can do more harm than good. WWE provides five hours of brand-new programming weekly on worldwide television (not including PPV), but, with the addition to of the Network, WWE has had to create fresh content from their extensive library. While longtime and diehard fans may enjoy watching as much WWE as they can handle, it may also generate a backlash from the general audience who feel it may overexpose the WWE talent. The positive of these streaming platforms, especially on Netflix or Amazon where original shows are emerging, it gives the writers the opportunity to create long story-arcs - carried out throughout an entire season - and in-depth characters for fans to become invested in.

While it may be an adjustment period for some and a convenience for others, one thing is for sure: the evolution of television is streaming in the right direction.