A few years ago the main way that we were wasting our time was by sitting in front of the television. We worried that all that time in front of the television was rotting our brains and making us slaves to advertisers and networks. But now we are spending more of our time in front of a different screen: the computer screen. Increasingly, people are spending more and more time on their computers, and the number of households equipped for cable television is on the decline. The Internet offers a wide variety of entertainments that are alternatives to passive watching. And because of sites like Hulu and YouTube, one does not need to have a television to enjoy television programming.

These new platforms have changed the way people experience television programs and what they expect from them. People once were content to watch their favorite programs on the network’s timetable. They would rush home and tune in at 8/7 central or whenever the network dictated. Now because of DVR and the Internet, people expect to be able to watch their shows whenever they want. Now we can live our lives without having to think about getting home in time to watch a certain show. We also no longer have to settle for watching whatever is “on.” The Internet has opened up an endless variety of programming that we can choose from and enjoy. These possibilities can sometimes be overwhelming.

The new Internet platforms have also changed the way advertisers reach the audience. Traditional commercials no longer cut it. Because of DVR and Internet piracy, people expect to watch their shows without commercials. So advertisers have used the Internet to find other ways to reach consumers, such as releasing their commercials as viral videos.

So, will the Internet put an end to cable TV? Time will tell.