We Want Media

Remember that little claymation man from Saturday Night Live? Mr. Bill? Today he snuck himself onto the front page of the Business Day section of the New York Times. “Oh No, It’s the Web,” he proclaimed. That got my attention, now to read on. “NBC’s Bravo hopes some of its unsuccessful cable networks will have a second life on broadband.”

It seems that many major (and not-so-major) networks are getting second lives on broadband as well. Bravo’s plan includes a merger with PlanetOut, Inc. to provide a new web channel aimed at gays and lesbians. The site is called OutZonetv.com. The Noggin Channel for teens provides a similar service. On the-n.com, teens can watch mini episodes of the channel’s super show, Degrassi: The Next Generation. With all of these online options becoming available, what’s happening to cable television?

Are we witnessing a slow merge of the TV into the online world? Bravo says no, but I can’t help but wonder if this is the plan for others like them. For me, the merger of TV and online entertainment doesn’t quite click. The technology has its limitations at this point, but who knows what stirring new technology is on the horizon. I guess we’ll find out, but until then (and maybe after…I’m pretty stubborn) I’ll keep my TV on the television and my Internet on the computer.