"Over-the-top is coming."
Lowell McAdam, Verizon's chief executive, could not have been more blunt in his comments last week about the future of television. But what exactly will that look like, and which company will get there first?
First, consider the situation today. Most Americans have a monthly cable or satellite subscription that comes with a set-top-box and a big bundle of channels. Internet streaming through services like Netflix and Hulu are still the exceptions to the rule.
The future looks like a mash-up of these two modes of viewing — a bundle of channels that are streamed via the Internet to any and every screen.
McAdam and others call the concept "over the top," and the idea came closer to fruition last week when The Walt Disney Company — the owner of ESPN and ABC — and Dish Network joined forces.
Lowell McAdam, Verizon's chief executive, could not have been more blunt in his comments last week about the future of television. But what exactly will that look like, and which company will get there first?
First, consider the situation today. Most Americans have a monthly cable or satellite subscription that comes with a set-top-box and a big bundle of channels. Internet streaming through services like Netflix and Hulu are still the exceptions to the rule.
The future looks like a mash-up of these two modes of viewing — a bundle of channels that are streamed via the Internet to any and every screen.
McAdam and others call the concept "over the top," and the idea came closer to fruition last week when The Walt Disney Company — the owner of ESPN and ABC — and Dish Network joined forces.
