Google’s new live streaming service suggests the future of television may not be televised

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Dan Wiley loves watching all of his favorite TV shows, just not on TV.

The Port Huron sophomore instead relies on Internet services such as Hulu and YouTube for his daily entertainment.

“I mostly watch TV through those services,” he said. “I like those services because not only are they free, but you can watch them whenever or wherever you want. I can even watch it on my phone.”

Wiley said a lot of people, especially students, rely on the Web for programming entertainment.

Eric Limarenko, a broadcast and cinematic arts instructor and video labs coordinator, said online streaming is the future of television programming.

“This is the point where everything changes,” he said. “Streaming will take over traditional television and the traditional television business model as it is now. Streaming events such as concerts and sporting events, and even your kid’s birthday party that your family wants to watch — everything is going down that path.”

People can watch online streaming services on their television through gaming consoles like the Xbox 360, or even by hooking up their laptops or PCs to their television through component cables.

“Sitting in an office chair isn’t as comfortable as sitting on a couch, watching a 54-inch plasma TV,” Wiley said. “But I think that a lot of students are looking at cable and saying to themselves, ‘why should I pay for something that I can get for free?’”

Online services such as Hulu, YouTube, iTunes and Netflix provide users with video streaming options for a variety of television programs and movies, some of which are pay-per-view while others are available to users for free.

YouTube live streaming

Now, YouTube has begun another initiative to challenge television’s dominance. Its latest feature, YouTube live streaming, will offer live event broadcasts.

Limarenko said YouTube’s new live streaming feature is a step in the right direction.

“I think they’re smart,” he said. “They’re testing the waters to see what the public reaction’s going to be. We’re sort of the guinea pigs because they know where the market’s headed.”

In the future, physical media such as DVDs will be a thing of the past, Limarenko said. He pointed to the advantages of streaming, including access to a nearly unlimited amount of content.

“The trick is, the advertisers have to figure out how to make a profit,” he said.

Future of cable

Limarenko said television set sales will not likely be affected by online streaming, though television networks might be in trouble as programming shifts to Internet streaming services. Cable services will have to change how they operate, he said.

“Each cable station that you’re watching now will eventually be its own subscription site,” he said. “You’ll see a bunch of mini-stations that will provide content under that umbrella. I’m not going to subscribe to a huge cable package, I’ll be à la carting to my taste.”

Zeeland sophomore Troy Cronkright said he thinks people will still buy in to cable services despite YouTube’s efforts in live streaming.

“Not everyone sits and watches live television,” he said. “People still have to get their reality TV fix.”