I get the impression that the major Canadian television networks are struggling to come up with a good business model for the future of internet TV in Canada.
I foresee the big Canadian networks creating a national internet TV Platform similar to that of HULU in the United Sates. There are already plenty of software add-ons available from the major players (Google and Apple) where you can surf the net on your TV and watch your TV on your PC. However, you still need a cable and internet connection for most of these products. Also, there are companies out there that can provide you with a live internet TV player and online player for a set fee, but the selection of channels that they offer just isn't there yet.
The race is definitely on to get the best business model for providing a premium live internet TV service. For now the choice of many Canadian online TV watchers is catch up TV.
Most major networks usually make available on the internet specific episodes after they previously aired to allow their audiences to catch-up on their favourite shows that they were unable to watch - hence the term catch up TV. The Majority of television networks will release episodes of their programs online from the previous week after they have aired. Commonly you will find these programs on the network's own website, in a video-on-demand format, for everyone to stream and watch at their convenience. Typically, the networks offer these Internet TV programs for free of charge, although, there are usually some limitations. Most of these programs are not available forever. Whenever, fresh content is made available many networks will take down some of the older content. Of course, every network decides on the availability of their programs. Also, most videos may not be accessible outside of the network's country. For example, Most CTV videos can only be watched from within the borders of Canada.
I look forward to the day where I can log on to my computer and pay for the 10-20 channels that I want to watch and not have to pay for the many channels that I will never watch. Of course it would have to be live television for this to work or else it is essentially the same as catch up TV right now except with a few more options. In the meantime I am content watching my regular Cable TV on my television and my catch up TV on my internet. At least the internet TV in Canada is free.
I foresee the big Canadian networks creating a national internet TV Platform similar to that of HULU in the United Sates. There are already plenty of software add-ons available from the major players (Google and Apple) where you can surf the net on your TV and watch your TV on your PC. However, you still need a cable and internet connection for most of these products. Also, there are companies out there that can provide you with a live internet TV player and online player for a set fee, but the selection of channels that they offer just isn't there yet.
The race is definitely on to get the best business model for providing a premium live internet TV service. For now the choice of many Canadian online TV watchers is catch up TV.
Most major networks usually make available on the internet specific episodes after they previously aired to allow their audiences to catch-up on their favourite shows that they were unable to watch - hence the term catch up TV. The Majority of television networks will release episodes of their programs online from the previous week after they have aired. Commonly you will find these programs on the network's own website, in a video-on-demand format, for everyone to stream and watch at their convenience. Typically, the networks offer these Internet TV programs for free of charge, although, there are usually some limitations. Most of these programs are not available forever. Whenever, fresh content is made available many networks will take down some of the older content. Of course, every network decides on the availability of their programs. Also, most videos may not be accessible outside of the network's country. For example, Most CTV videos can only be watched from within the borders of Canada.
I look forward to the day where I can log on to my computer and pay for the 10-20 channels that I want to watch and not have to pay for the many channels that I will never watch. Of course it would have to be live television for this to work or else it is essentially the same as catch up TV right now except with a few more options. In the meantime I am content watching my regular Cable TV on my television and my catch up TV on my internet. At least the internet TV in Canada is free.
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