Most popular TV shows are available to watch online, and some less popular ones too. However, some may require payment or have commercials. Internet TV may not replace traditional TV, but it is becoming more feasible with efforts to convert all TV to online viewing. Networks may find a way to charge for popular shows in the future.
If you missed your favorite show because you’re missing a digital video recorder (DVR) or forgot to turn on your DVR, take heart. Chances are you can find the show online. Most networks now offer people the opportunity to watch TV online, at least with their most popular shows. Sometimes, shows that do poorly in the ratings are also available, since they can establish a larger fan base if they are watched online. You can also watch portions of programs online through sites like YouTube, although occasionally watching TV on non-network sites actually violates copyright laws.
As internet connections have gotten faster, being able to watch TV online has become much more feasible. Yet, at this point, you can’t pick up a TV guide and watch Internet TV on your regular schedule, although some believe we’re not far from that progress. Efforts to convert all TV to online viewing, as well as efforts to translate Internet services into television, have been underway for years. In the near future, you may be able to watch the same programs aired on TV, online video streaming.
You may not be able to watch TV online without paying. Very popular shows like Lost may charge you for podcast versions of the show. Programs displayed on premium channels like HBO are also not available for free. Yet the average sitcom may be available on the Internet, through the network’s Internet site, for free.
However, you have to sit through commercial breaks, and you usually can’t fast-forward through them, like you can with a DVR. The good news is that these breaks are often much shorter than what regular television offers. Often, only one advertiser sponsors the show; thus commercial breaks are much less intrusive than they are on “normal” television.
In these early stages of offering some shows online, many people are wondering if the networks are figuring out how to make it more profitable. Ultimately, there’s a good chance networks will find a way to charge viewers for popular shows instead of offering the ability to watch TV online for free. There may also be conflicts between networks if free TV becomes too popular. If you can watch Internet TV with fewer commercials, why sit down to watch regular TV?
Many theorize that Internet TV won’t replace your home TV. Unless you have a huge computer screen, it’s not that convenient to watch TV online. Small laptops aren’t going to replace the latest huge flat screen or plasma, and especially family programs would be difficult to watch on many of the smaller computer monitors. However, for now, if you’re really kicking yourself for missing your favorite show, check with the network’s internet site. You may have to pay for the privilege of catching up, but you may also get lucky and be able to watch TV online for free, with minimal commercial breaks.
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