More than half of broadband internet users say their TV consumption has fallen since getting a high-speed connection, according to UK-based research firm Strategy Analytics, quoted in the Register.
"David Mercer, principal analyst at Strategy Analytics, acknowledged that TV will continue to have a place in the home, and won't be entirely replaced by high-speed Internet, but the impact of broadband will nevertheless be dramatic. 'TV companies have to pay heed to the Internet... they clearly have to look at the Web as a way to reach their audience,' he told ElectricNews.Net. 'Putting TV content on the Web is probably not the best way go about things. A better strategy would be to develop new on-line content that people can interact with.'While I can quite believe the research, I can't say I'm convinced by the analysis. If people are not being engaged by broadcast TV, I can't see what is suddenly going to make it much more special on the web.
I'd argue British TV is about to confront the kind of multiple problems that faced - still face - the music industry: a slump in the quality of its content just as consumers are offered a wider range of ways to spend their time and money, and new ways to access that premium content for free, in a format and at a time which suits the consumer but not the supplier.
It'll take an awful lot more than a few interactive websites to sort that mess out.
