Module Five
When you decided to obtain a DVD of Minority Report, where did you go to find a copy? Did you rent or purchase a DVD, or did you view it digitally on your computer using Netflix or a similar vendor of video-on-demand?
When I decided to obtain a copy of Minority Report, I checked with a family member. Had I not borrowed the movie, I would used Comcast cable, and my final option would have been to rent a DVD from Blockbuster.
Is the current competition between DVDs and video-on-demand an example of increasing returns or Red Queens? Justify your response with sound reasoning and specific examples.
Competition between DVDs and video-on-demand is an example of Red Queens. According to Thornburg (2008c) two forces prevail as a result of a competition among many. Red Queens edge out all other competitors so only the top two remain. I believe NetFlix is the frontrunner because it offers video-on-demand services on televisions, computers, game systems, and phones. I believe Blockbuster and NetFlix are competitors because they offer similar services, although Hulu and YouTube are vying to improve their services.
Where do you think DVDs and video-on-demand are on the four criteria of McLuhan’s tetrad?
Currently, some users choose television whenever they want to watch live events such as sports and news shows; therefore, I believe video-on-demand will obsolete DVDs. For example, NetFlix users can access movies and current television shows on computers, television, and game systems. There is a possibility that video-on-demand might obsolete television if streaming allows live events and television shows to be viewed online.
References
McLuhan, M., & McLuhan E. (1992. Laws of Media: The New Science. University of Toronto Press.
Thornburg, D. (2008c). Red Queens, butterflies, and strange attractors: Imperfect lenses into emergent technologies. Lake Barrington, IL: Thornburg Center for Space Exploration.
Five of the best streaming media services compared. Retrieved from http://mashable.com/2011/02/14/streaming-media-comparison/
NetFlix: The future is streaming. Retrieved from http://gigaom.com/video/netflix-the-future-is-streaming/
The Future of Streaming Video. Retrieved from http://finance.yahoo.com/news/The-Future-Streaming-Video-wscheats-357551159.html?x=0&.v=1
Is video streaming the future of television? Retrieved from http://blog.surpasshosting.com/2011/10/is-video-streaming-the-future-of-television/
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