Gently Down The Stream

Chances are, that if you are reading this, you not only know what streaming is but you use it one or more times when ever you are on line. It is through the use of streaming technology that we are able to listen to and view live broadcasts, watch videos, and listen to music online. You may in fact use streaming so much that you never realize just how much you actually use it. The application of streaming applied to music has recently been considered as one of the causes of the decline of recorded music sales. The debate rages on.

The decline in recorded music sales, actually began in the mid-1990s. At that time the World Wide Web portion of the internet was only a few years old. So, streaming could not have been a cause, at least not initially. Trying to discover the root cause of the decline may possibly go on for quite sometime. The real issue is listening, but not buying. But, music consumers have always listened without buying. But, they have also listened and bought. The issue then is, what made them buy after listening? That's a topic for a blog post all it's own.

Now, when it comes to streaming, my personal belief is that it is similar in a way, to radio and television. However, clearly as we continue to transition to an all digital society, radio and television will continue to merge with the computer and the internet. In fact, more and more flat screen TVs are becoming computerized. They are being built with the capability to log on to, and stream media from the Web. Stereo radio receivers now come with iPod docks so you can play your music from it or download music right into it.

Broadcast networks are now streaming whole episodes of your favorite shows on the Web. Local radio and TV stations are streaming their news cast and music programs, live over the Web. Websites like Hulu offer web browsers the opportunity to view episodes of popular TV show like The Family Guy and Lincoln Heights for free after registering. Youtube on the other hand, gives groups and individuals the opportunity upload and share videos of just about anything. And, Myspace is still the number one source for finding the latest in music from artist ranging from Major label to Independent to DIY artists.

Devices like TIVO are now taking advantage of streaming. TIVO, billed as the most advanced DVR on the market, now offers NETFLIX, Amazon VOD and Pandora.

And, lets not forget about the streaming music stores like, Rhapsody and of course, iTunes.

While it's possible to make a case for streaming as a cause for the decline in recorded music sales, every indication, as near as I can tell, is that streaming technology is only going to grow and become even more prevalent. And, I don't think that anyone who enjoys viewing there favorite video or listening to there favorite song would want to see an internet without it. In fact, the Web would become a very stale, quiet, and uninteresting place.