If you'll allow me to get down off my political soapbox for a moment, I'd like to point you to an interesting piece in the Atlantic--ooh, I feel so sophisticated writing that! Now all I need is a pipe and a copy of the New York Review of Books, and my intellectual bona fides will be assured.
Anyway, the article is about the transformation of television. Long story short: expect more reality shows like "Survivor," more variety shows like "American Idol," and fewer serialized, lavishly-produced dramas like "Heroes" or "Lost." As more viewers get their television fix over the internet, "big" shows like "Heroes" become too much of a gamble. They can still turn a profit, sure. But the network stands to lose millions if things start going south. The one golden rule of television is that things will always go south after a little while.
TV--or at least network TV--is going to undergo a radical shift in the next few years, according to the article. The content will be cheaper, faster, and more disposable, throwaway trash like Jay Leno. The quality programming will migrate to paid services like HBO and Showtime. A few blockbuster shows might survive on the networks, but they'll be in the minority.
I don't know what to think about all this. I used to be a devoted watcher of "House" and "24," but it's been nearly year since I've seen a full episode of either. It's not that I'm watching on my laptop, though; I just have stopped watching in general. Am I bizarre, freakish case? Or am I some kind of trend-setter? Given my track record, I'd put my money on the first option.
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