Watch Me!
TV faces the worst audience fragmentation of all. Here, News Corp. tracks and forecasts the explosion of TV-viewing choices available in any given hour. Once there were three options; soon there will be 1,000
1960s
Most Americans watch the Big Three networks every night.
1970s
UHF stations bring more choices, and the fledgling cable industry introduces a few new channels like HBO and Turner's TBS Superstation.
1980s
The VCR becomes commonplace, letting consumers watch recorded shows and movies whenever they want. Cable explodes, with new networks like CNN and MTV.
1990s
Direct-broadcast satellites are introduced, offering hundreds of channels. Cable systems are slowly upgraded, with more channels.
2000s
Digital compression and two-way networks allow cable companies to offer even more channels and services. DBS services grow more entrenched. As TVs are linked to the Internet, new programming delivered via the Internet takes hold. Result: 300 choices at any moment.
2010s
Broadcasters may use high-definition TV spectrum to launch more channels. Internet chat evolves into networked virtual reality games, interactive movies, and other activities being hatched by MIT's media lab (photo) and others. News Corp. forecasts 1,000 channels, now called ''content windows.''
DATA: NEWS CORP.'S NEWS DIGITAL SYSTEMS UNIT; BUSINESS WEEK
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