Things Are Changing Pretty Fast Now
One in eight to cut cable and satellite TV in 2010
"NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite rising cable and satellite TV prices and easy access to streaming TV and movies on the Internet, few consumers have cut the cord. But that looks like it's about to change.
One in eight consumers will eliminate or scale back their cable, satellite or other pay-TV service this year, according to a new study released this week by Yankee Group.
The study, which was the result of a survey of pay-TV operators and more than 6,000 U.S. consumers, found that many will choose to drop premium channels or cut their service down to a basic package, while others will choose to cut off their service completely.
A cutting-the-cord trend has been the subject of speculation for some time, as networks have increasingly made television programming available for free on the Internet. But a combination of other factors, including a growing number of battles between cable companies and networks, soaring Internet video viewings and an increase in connected TVs and devices, suggest the trend is finally upon us."
Well, the article does go on to cite rising prices and alternative electronic devices, and one could always throw the depression into the mix. But here's the key paragraph for me:
"Admittedly, this is a small phenomenon now, but a number or recent transactions and new items point to a shift in consumer thinking," said Vince Vittore, analyst at Yankee Group and author of the study."
Although for the life of me saying over 12% of consumers getting rid of television in their lives can't be considered a small phenomenon.
No, the big change is how people are seeing themselves as consumers. Corporations made a fatal mistake over the decades by pandering to the ego and instant gratification. As long as they were the arbiters of what you could do and get with their manufactured needs they stayed in the catbird seat. Now with this explosion of electronic power people have become active consumers rather than passive consumers, a la the boob tube. There are always going to be a sizable population of drooling, glassy eyed mouthbreathers dimly aware of the flickering blue TV light, but slowly, slowly, more are opting to choose what they see and hear a la the internet, even if it's just the further adventures of Lindsay Lohan.
"NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Despite rising cable and satellite TV prices and easy access to streaming TV and movies on the Internet, few consumers have cut the cord. But that looks like it's about to change.
One in eight consumers will eliminate or scale back their cable, satellite or other pay-TV service this year, according to a new study released this week by Yankee Group.
The study, which was the result of a survey of pay-TV operators and more than 6,000 U.S. consumers, found that many will choose to drop premium channels or cut their service down to a basic package, while others will choose to cut off their service completely.
A cutting-the-cord trend has been the subject of speculation for some time, as networks have increasingly made television programming available for free on the Internet. But a combination of other factors, including a growing number of battles between cable companies and networks, soaring Internet video viewings and an increase in connected TVs and devices, suggest the trend is finally upon us."
Well, the article does go on to cite rising prices and alternative electronic devices, and one could always throw the depression into the mix. But here's the key paragraph for me:
"Admittedly, this is a small phenomenon now, but a number or recent transactions and new items point to a shift in consumer thinking," said Vince Vittore, analyst at Yankee Group and author of the study."
Although for the life of me saying over 12% of consumers getting rid of television in their lives can't be considered a small phenomenon.
No, the big change is how people are seeing themselves as consumers. Corporations made a fatal mistake over the decades by pandering to the ego and instant gratification. As long as they were the arbiters of what you could do and get with their manufactured needs they stayed in the catbird seat. Now with this explosion of electronic power people have become active consumers rather than passive consumers, a la the boob tube. There are always going to be a sizable population of drooling, glassy eyed mouthbreathers dimly aware of the flickering blue TV light, but slowly, slowly, more are opting to choose what they see and hear a la the internet, even if it's just the further adventures of Lindsay Lohan.
posted by nolocontendere at 7:33 AM
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