Metropol

Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge how this sounds like a very TVF-style thread, but I think the main topic of discussion would be why Daybreak isn't on Netflix/Lovefilm or something like that if I posted it on there, so I've posted it here instead, in hope of better quality discussion.

I signed up to a Netflix trial the other day, after having never used a VoD service like it, and within only a few days of using it, I find it quite interesting as a) it strikes me as odd that Blockbuster never decided to try something like this, or did too late, as it's a vastly superior model to physical disks with a much bigger library, and B) how Netflix, at least, try to create as TV-like an experience as possible.

Did Blockbuster ever try something like this? Considering they dominated the physical side of this market it would seem weird for them to not try to adapt to changing tastes in delivery and move online, and how they still seem to be clinging to physical disks for dear life whilst Netflix and LoveFilm dominate the market which Blockbuster basically gave away. Does anyone know anymore background to this?

In regards to creating a TV-style experience, I've noticed it in the way they try to keep you watching, and seem quite keen for you to do marathon sessions of TV programmes. I started Breaking Bad (albeit a bit late) the other day, and at the end during the credits the video shrunk down to a small box, I was informed that the next episode of Breaking Bad would play next (and in a very US-way without the full credits playing), and I was given links to other episodes. This personal style seems, to me, like something that will become more and more popular in the coming years, and is in a similar vein to the new, personal iPlayer announced yesterday. I know it's just more developed playlists, but the presentation of it is very natural and traditional to normal TV - with people talking about the demise of TV channels, the fact that the VoD services are trying to emulate them suggests to me they're in no rush to disappear. In the future, I think the idea of programmes you like all playing one after another in a personalised-TV format could be something we see.

So, what about you? Is more personalised TV the future? Do you use one of these VoD services? Be interested to hear your thoughts.

I think 'personalised TV' will end up becoming the way VOD will go. The existing viewer-led straight VOD services are great for watching what you want when you want it, but of course they presume that you know what you want to watch, which pretty much limits their use to programmes which have already become big through airing via conventional methods. Personalising a VOD service into some sort of Last FM for VOD offering will extract more mileage out of it and is a natural progression. This is already done to some extend with other suggested programmes being through at you when choosing what to watch, and making this look like a broadcast channel with presentation and junctions is just a natural evolution.

However, I don't think that VOD in any form will ever completely remove linear TV channels. I think there certainly will be less of them (no bad thing IMO), with all the various extended channel portfolios, archive channels and +1's running out of reasons to exist as VOD grows in popularity. However, any major new show is going to struggle to get off the ground without being able to make it an event for people to watch at a certain time and it being broadcast to people who are watching it because it's on rather than because they decided to. I also can't see commercial broadcasters wanting to let go of prime-time advertising rates which will likely happen when they can't guarantee to advertisers what a particular viewing audience is likely to be.

VOD evolution might well see off Channel 4 + 1, Challenge TV and even the likes of BBC3 and ITV2, but I can't see channels like BBC1 or ITV disappearing any time soon - there will doubtless be changes, but I think traditional TV will still be around for a long time yet.