Online TV tivi online is television broadcasting over the Internet as streaming media sent over the Web. It is similar to conventional broadcasting, except that it is done entirely on the Internet using compressed or transmitted digital data. This technology is often referred to as the Internet television. This is a fast growing industry, driven by increasing broadband Internet connections, which has made many old classical TV sets completely obsolete. Online TV services can be viewed from anywhere with an Internet connection and a browser, though Internet TV does have some drawbacks:
Viewers who prefer a narrow, targeted program selection can watch online TV on a regular TV set, without any loss of quality or channels. On the other hand, if a person wants to see all of their TV channels – and they are willing to pay for it – they can get online TV services that include a huge variety of channels and programs. The real advantage of online TV is that there is no longer a need for a set top box, satellite dish, or other equipment needed to receive broadcast television. Online TV allows viewers to control their own experience, by only watching what they want to watch. Viewers can quickly and easily switch out their favorite programs with no effort.
To view live television online, viewers use free or paid online TV streaming services. These services deliver TV content from a number of different companies, including live broadcasts from television stations themselves, as well as on demand video content from internet resources like YouTube and livejapan TV. Many people are now able to “rent” or purchase online TV channels through online rental companies. For example, Rokku Channel, a Japanese online TV rental company, offers more than 200 movies and TV show titles for rent, along with special pay per view movies. Prices start at only $8.50 per month for the standard plan and go up to as much as three hundred dollars for premium packages that provide more extensive programming.
Many people, while pleased with the quality of the free or low cost channels, find themselves dissatisfied with the lack of variety in the viewing offerings. Online television service providers often provide a small selection of popular channels and programs, which make it more difficult for viewers to decide what to watch. Satellite companies, which provide the international broadcasting service, tend to provide a wide range of channels similar to those provided by traditional cable TV providers. It may be more convenient, for some viewers, to simply rent an online TV package and pay a monthly fee, rather than having to make multiple phone calls or visit a number of websites. The ease of using such a service has made it popular for households with growing family sizes.
One disadvantage of online video streaming services is that not all programs are available for purchase through them. Several large media companies, like Disney and Showtime, own and stream their own media content, and have agreements with online service providers to provide this content for a monthly fee. These services are popular among people who do not live in the United States, but who want access to their favorite television programs. Other services charge a subscription fee in order to stream live events. Certain sports, news, comedy, movies, reality, game shows, reality TV, cartoons, and music events are only available through subscription services.
It should be noted that some of these online services, like Hulu, are offering a free trial period, in which a consumer can view as many of the featured channels for a specified period of time. Online video streaming services may also offer a free demo video and limited number of channels for testing purposes. While there are several advantages to subscribing to an online TV service, it is also important to consider the possible disadvantages, from high start up costs to high monthly fees. For most people, the convenience of easily watching their favorite videos on their PC is a great asset, but there are some serious limitations.