The entertainment industry is changing rapidly, particularly in regards to how consumers get access to their entertainment. Perhaps the global economic depression is accelerating this process, as economic pressure means less room for companies to stand between consumers willing to spend money and those companies willing to provide entertainment. In this particular case, there are a number of industries that are being turned on their head by direct-to-consumer sales via broadband Internet connections. If you are not already thinking about these technologies, then you are probably wasting money.
Movies, Music, and TV Shows
Movies and TV shows are the biggest example of content that is being subjected to numerous charges. For the longest time, literally generations, networks have made deals with cable companies who have in turn made deals with cities and larger governments for exclusive or near-exclusive access to certain markets. This has changed in recent years, but a large part of that is due to iTunes, Amazon’s Movies on Demand, and other similar services that have used the power of the Internet to erode such control generated by shady lobbying and other manipulative forces.
These days, studios are offering their programming online almost immediately after the web. In some cases, the studios offer delays and/or lower quality to ensure that their relationships with digital cable providers is not unduly affected, but some studios have gone above and beyond the call of duty and offer bonus content online. For example, ABC has offered LOST fans extended cuts for quite some time via their internal LOST page. Even Hollywood is looking to capitalize on the web and is looking to shorten the amount of time that it takes for grade-a movies to go from the big screen to the desktop or media-center equipped television set.
The music industry has been similarly reshaped, and gone are the days of overpaid pop stars that spring up overnight only to disappear a month later after their platinum album and tour made the music industry a bundle. This industry has supported many retail shops and even been a cornerstone of electronics outlets such as Best Buy for generations. This too is now rapidly changing as the recording industry is starting to wake up and realize that their own luxurious lifestyles and business practices are no longer viable in a day when garage bands with a computer and hosting plan can start to sell their creations online. The web is quickly becoming the de facto standard for up and coming talent that does not want to share their profits until they make it big time, and making it big time is also helped by the web. Of course, it certainly helps to have a fast connection to check out the latest and greatest acts.
Wait, There’s More…
Games, whether console or PC, are also available directly via the web these days and that is having a serious impact on the bottom line of many retail outlets. A similar paradigm shift is happening in regards to backup and storage, both of which are moving online. VoIP services can offer freedom from digital telephone providers that charge too much and provide too little. While games might be the only entertainment industry listed in this section, it is still worth mentioning that faster broadband connections offer freedom in many different ways.
Why Middle-Men (or Middle-Ladies) Should Not Go Away
The problem that has sparked this development is not necessarily one of a lack of room for companies to resell and add value to services. Instead, it is a problem that has been defined by just how bad these companies have exploited their relative monopolies. Even the largest cities have not seen fierce fighting due to loose agreements in back rooms that consumers never get access to. The bottom line is that for too long you and I have paid too much for nearly everything because of the lack of choice. Broadband brings that choice back to us, but only so long as we do not allow the companies that did not allow us that choice to begin with to wither away and die.
An old adage says to get what you want, not to get even. If we consumers decide to rise up en masse and neglect the cable companies, music stores, and other industries that are now being made obsolete by the Internet and broadband, then we will be right back where we started sooner or later. This does not mean that you should not call your ISP now and demand the best price for the best broadband plan, but remember to consider bundles and other features that keep companies that may have abused monopolies or near-monopolies in the past alive. If they die, no progress has truly been made.
Reclaim Your Freedom
Your freedom from these outdated business practices is predicated upon two factors: the speed of your broadband connection and the livelihood of the competition. That is why bundles are such great ideas: they can provide top notch broadband services along with digital cable features that work well together. Call your cable and/or DSL provider and check into bundling and faster packages today, then start looking into great services that can take advantage of the enhanced performance.
Bookmark and Promote!
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