It’s not about “linear vs. on demand”; linear itself is about to change

I seem to repeat the same discussion with every media executive I meet – I argue that connected TV is going to fundamentally change the way we watch TV, but the response, usually from those with a few more grey hairs than me, is to argue that consumers want a “lean-back” experience and that’s exactly what they’ve got with linear broadcast TV. I don’t disagree with this argument – I think linear TV is a great product and will prevail long into the future – but to couch it in an argument of “linear vs. on demand” is too narrow in today’s market.

Here’s my rebuttal:  I agree that most people don’t want to be leaning forward to select the next programme as the last one finishes, like selecting individual tracks from a music library. My argument is that linear itself is going to change, and that is what’s going to drive our shift in viewing behaviour. Let me explain…

Charlie Ergen interview: Is Dish Network right to launch the Auto Hop (skippable ads) feature?

Referencing Chairman of Dish Network, Charlie Ergen’s interview with the Wall Street Journal. Read it here.

Dish Network has come under severe pressure since it launched the Auto Hop feature in May this year. But is Charlie Ergen right when he says,

“The new ad-skipping feature that has infuriated major broadcast TV networks is a “competitively necessary” response to the explosion of cheap Internet video”