It is no secret that the world has evolved and with it, so have travelers. They travel with their smartphones, tablets and laptops wherever they go. But it seems that television and cable networks are still stuck in the past. And to get them to change, is still a hard sell.
There are a few networks, like CNN, that are allowing their current customers to stream online from anywhere in the world -- if they have a cable subscription. But suppose they don't have a cable provider? Then what?
Local L.A. television station, KTLA, provides live online streaming of its newscasts only. A smart move on their behalf. The morning news is one of the most highly rates shows in Los Angeles and giving their audience what they want to watch, is exactly what they're doing. The best part is that its free.
Many frustrated travelers have gotten nowhere with sending messages to their favorite TV networks. Their only recourse for the time being, is watching it on the multiple online websites that are streaming said content for free.
Television and cable networks are missing out on the millions of dollars in potential revenue from travelers, as well as global advertisers. With websites like, JustIn.tv, who unknowingly allow their users to stream content from TV networks from all over the world, viewers are watching local and national TV ads from wherever that content is streaming from.
By dedicating a direct feed for online streaming, cable networks could potentially sell advertising spots to worldwide companies with an online presence. Allowing global travelers to take an interest in at least some of the TV advertising that is being streamed globally - and being able to access it.
What use is a car dealer commercial from Florida if the viewer is watching that network online from another country?
If networks allowed online streaming without a cable TV subscription, the advertiser would not be a local car dealer but perhaps an e-commerce business with a global presence. Enabling the viewer to access the advertiser and perhaps bring in business for them - which is the whole point of advertising.
Of course, none of this would be for free. Many travelers are willing to pay a nominal monthly subscription fee directly to the network, bypassing the cable company. After all, what good is it paying a monthly cable bill if the customer is constantly traveling? Travelers have no use for all the other cable networks that are bundled in one of their packages and many are unwilling to pay $100 a month for the few networks that they actually do watch.
But if a cable network were to charge a small monthly online subscription rate without a cable company involved, then many travelers may be willing to pay. But the bulk of the revenue for the network may come from television advertising, tailored exclusively for their online viewers.
