TV Switch Could be a Big Day for Internet

With change often comes opportunity. On February 17, 2009, the U.S. will switch its broadcast format to a digital signal. If you don't have cable/satellite TV, a new TV with a digital receiver, or a set top box that can convert the new signal to your old television, you'll be unable to watch the TV. It's expected to impact about 13,000,000 households.

Broadcasters are trying to prepare their audiences for the switch by counting down the days with on screen messages and news stories. A sign that they are concerned: The traditional February Nielsen ratings are being moved to March. They should be worried as more and more of their audience is looking to the Internet for video content.

According to ABI Research, the number of U.S. consumers who watch a video on their computers has jumped to 64%. That's nearly double the previous year. See this article for more: http://tinyurl.com/4fptvy

I expect that on February 17th a lot of people will be looking at blank TV screens, wondering if they need to get their video content from the tube. If you're involved with online video distribution, it could be a very important time for your industry as a lot of potential customers may be in the marketplace.