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"It is not a question if web turns into cable tv, it already has." Not really. With cable, different providers have different channel packages, based on negot
by betterunix2 9y ago
"It is not a question if web turns into cable tv, it already has."
Not really. With cable, different providers have different channel packages, based on negotiated deals with the channel owners. Sometimes people with one cable service will lose access to a channel they like just because of a dispute over a contract renewal:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_(broadcasting) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackout_(broadcasting)
Thankfully such things do not happen on the web, at least not yet. People are upset about net neutrality because they fear that will actually happen (and mistakenly believe that is the worst case -- I am more concerned about the even worse things ISPs might do, like blocking VPN services, or only allowing devices that are "compatible" with their service e.g. by requiring people to install a special app, etc.)
- Spivak 9y agoWith streaming, different services have different content libraries based on negotiated deals with copyright holders. Subscribers regularly lose access to movies and shows they like because of disputes over contracts or because the copyright holder is moving their content to their own service.
- betterunix2 9y agoThat is a red herring. If I have Comcast service but the channels I want are only on Time Warner, I cannot simply switch to Time Warner. Switching between streaming services is trivial, because all streaming websites are available to everyone with an Internet connection (one of the things net neutrality is meant to protect).