Future of television

With the growth of online video it is easy to assume that traditional television is in terminal decline. Despite repeated declarations of the death of television, overall video viewing is increasing. The way we watch, and what we watch, is changing.

Changing channels

Television and video viewing has become much more flexible. The internet has opened up greater choice, convenience, and control.

Television viewing is no longer defined by the time of transmission. Viewers can watch programmes when they want. This has been possible since the first video recordings, but it now far easier to watch programmes whenever we want.

Video viewing is no longer tied to the television screen in the living room, or to a particular form of transmission. We have many more screens in the home and we can watch video on laptops, tablets, and phones almost anywhere.

Will live television survive?

Given the ability to watch whatever, whenever, wherever we want, it is tempting to think that we will not sit and wait to watch the same thing at the same time as we once did. The days of watching something just because it was the only thing worth watching at the time are certainly long gone.

Yet events will continue to happen in the world, both planned or unexpected, and we will still want to watch them as they take place, on the best available screen.

Whether they are global incidents, national moments, or sports events, we are drawn to them as shared collective experiences that define our sense of identity and social structures.

The power of television to relay this reality reliably in real time is unmatched, even if the technology of delivery changes. The biggest events will continue to attract huge national and international audiences and there will still need to be ways to offer these experiences.

What about programme schedules?

One might imagine a future where the idea of a television schedule disappears. Yet schedules still matter. They are part of the pattern of media production and consumption.

We may think we want to watch whatever we want, but those programmes still have to be produced, and that takes time and resources, whether the output is live or recorded. Creating anything complex involves planning and production processes. Persuading people to watch the result requires marketing and promotion.

Schedules are an inevitable result of these production processes. Programmes may take months or even years to make. Their release needs to be planned and phased. They are promoted in advance to create anticipation. Even if they are viewed on demand, that demand needs to be created.

Those that create and distribute programming have become experts in persuading people to watch something that they do not really need to see. Viewing is a discretionary activity, a choice of how to spend our time, and that does not happen by accident.

Much of what we watch is out of anticipation, social expectation or behavioural habit. Many people will continue to view television as part of their routines. For them it is a familiar companion. A regular schedule marks they, the week, the seasons, providing shape and rhythm to their lives.

Why does television still matter?

Television, and video programming generally, provides a steady supply of stories, information, and entertainment. This is fuel for conversation, offered great shared references for friends and families to discuss. It is a source of drama, and a background activity. For many households, the television remains the main screen in the room. Even with new devices and new habits, television endures as a common experience.

Has television viewing become too complicated?

The real risk is not whether people will still watch television. The challenge is how they navigate it. Viewers are faced with a maze of apps, services, and logins. Finding a programme can be harder than watching it. Different devices carry different selections. Some shows are available in one place but not another. For many, it has become confusing. What should be simple is often a source of frustration.

Who or what will succeed?

The winners in this new competition environment will not necessarily be those with the most or even the best programming. They will be the services that are easy to find and easy to use. People value simplicity. They want television to feel familiar and accessible. Services that are ubiquitously available, consistent across devices, and straightforward to discover will stand out. Those that are hidden behind barriers or difficult to search risk being left behind.

What does the future hold for television?

The destiny of television is not that it will be displaced and will ultimately disappear. It is a story of transformation. Television is adapting to the possibilities of the internet. It is extending beyond the living room, while keeping its place within it. It is holding on to live events and schedules while adding greater choice, convenience, and control. The essence of television remains, but the experience is being reshaped.

How can television be improved?

If television is to thrive, it must become less complicated. Viewers should be able to move easily between services and programmes. They should not need to hunt for what to watch or wonder whether it is available. The technology exists to make this possible. The task now is to use it in a way that puts the viewer first.

Conclusion

The Service List Registry is one initiative working to make television simpler and more discoverable. It creates the possibility of a future where people can find services easily, wherever they are and whatever device they are using. By supporting open access and consistent presentation, it helps reduce the complexity that frustrates many viewers today.

The future of television is not about losing what makes it special. It is about building on its strengths while removing the obstacles. With the right approach, television will continue to inform, educate, entertain, and connect people for many years to come.