I really believe we will be bypassing the networks and cable content providers and getting our content directly from the internet soon. When people get used to their DVR and understand these can be directly connected to an online program guide and online content the whole idea of TV schedules will go away. My ReplayTV (1999 technology) has the capability of sending and receiving content over the internet (one reason Sonic Blue was sued out of existence). All it will take is a content provider who wants to tap that market.
Some day soon there won't be "channels" or "time slots", only a catalog of shows.
We're already there. you can already download every popular show directly to your computer, and every movie within days of its theatrical release- sometimes sooner. Last time I had a DVR recording error and missed a show, I went the next day downloaded the HDTV version off the web. Which kinda ticks me off since I have a giant HDTV but I don't have an HD version of that channel- so quality was better on the download than if I'd have watched it live. I know quite a few people (mostly college students) who don't even own a TV, yet watch every show, thanks to the internet.
Some networks are ahead of the curve- Cartoon Network has all their adult swim shows online, free for download with a single 30-second commercial for 15 minute shows and 2 for 30 minute. Even better still, the shows are up online 2 days before they air, and you can go back through and watch past episodes, too. Quality is excellent, too. I'd love if I could watch all my shows this way- it's like a DVR, but better
NASA TV streams shuttle launches, and quite a few other networks have their streams availible online, as well. Quality is lower than broadcast, but it's at least all realitime.
