Get with the program: old-style television gives digital the finger
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday January 28, 2011
FOR many, the beauty of television is sitting down, mooching on the couch and having someone else decide what to watch. Digital video recorders and broadband internet may allow us to watch what we want when we want to, yet most of us still watch TV shows when the networks tell us to.The most recorded program last year was an episode of Channel Seven's Packed to the Rafters, watched by 2.8 million people in the main cities, and even though OzTAM figures don't count all recording, of those they do, 93 per cent watched it live.The side effect of liberation from scheduled television is all the choice. According to a study by the consultant firm Deloittes, "having choice is wonderful, but choosing can be a chore".The report forecasts media trends this year, and is adamant that television will stay the world's "super media" and that no number of programs being online and available to watch whenever we fancy is going to change our affection for a schedule.That is despite a proliferation of better and cheaper digital video recorders, new and free electronic program guides and internet-capable TVs allowing for easy downloading.A Deloittes partner, Damien Tampling, said he did not expect the strength of television to be downgraded by digital recorders or by the web. "People still have set times to sit down and watch their programs."The report said even those with digital recorders are more likely to first see what's on TV, then try something recorded if they can't find anything on they want to watch. Those more likely to record programs and watch them later are those who watch very little television, rather than those who watch a lot.It expects TV to dominate other media too, determining which books make bestsellers - it helps to have a TV celebrity on the cover - which magazines are bought and which toys are popular. "In today's world, TV is the medium around which all others revolve," the report said.Viewing per person will rise this year to three hours and 12 minutes a day among the global television audience, even allowing for competition from social networking - which is predicted to have over a billion members by the end of the year.In the Fairclough household, loyalties are divided between standard free-to-air and digital options.Lindy Fairclough said she would not even know where to start downloading or streaming television online. "I have no interest," she said."I think I'll just keep watching the way I have, the easy way."But she is in a minority in her family. Her husband, Wayne, and oldest daughter Mia often record television."Its surprising with how many channels that you can still sit down and find nothing to watch," Mr Fairclough said.
© 2011 Sydney Morning Herald