I get the impression that the Canadian television networks are having a difficult time coming up with a decent business model for the future of internet TV in Canada.

I envision the big Canadian networks creating a national internet TV Platform similar to that of HULU in the United Sates. There are already a few software add-ons available from the major players (Google and Apple) where you can watch your TV on your PC and surf the net on your TV. Although, you still need a cable and internet

connection for most of these products. Also, there are companies out there that can provide you with a live internet TV player and online player for a set price but the quality selection of channels that they offer just isn’t there yet. It will be interesting to see where things end up 10 to 20 years down the road. The race is definitely on to get the superior business model for providing an unmatched, live internet TV service in Canada. For now the choice of many online TV viewers is catch up TV.

Most major television networks usually make available on the internet certain programs after they already aired to allow their audiences to catch-up on their favourite shows that they missed – hence the term catch up TV. Many television networks will release episodes of their shows online from the previous week after they have aired. Usually, you will find these shows on the network’s own website, in a video-on-demand format, for anyone to stream and watch at their leisure. Typically, the networks offer these Internet TV programs for free. However, there are some limitations. Most of these shows are not available forever. Whenever, new content is made available many networks will take down some of the older videos. Of course each network decides on the availability of their videos. Also, most videos may not be accessible outside

of the network’s country. For example, Most CTV videos can only be viewed from inside of Canada.

I would love to see the time come when I can log on to my computer and pay for the 10-15 channels that I like and not have to pay for the many channels that I hardly ever watch. Of course it would have to be live programming for this to work otherwise it is practically the same as catch up TV right now except with a few more options. But for now I am satisfied watching my regular Cable TV on my television and my catch up TV on my internet. At least the Internet TV in Canada is free.