The Virtual MSO
Here’s a term you’re going to be hearing more and more in 2010 — the Virtual MSO [cable company].
Web video and traditional TV have been on a collision course for a while. For most of that time, the discussion has been Web-centric, with the media and analysts asking whether Web-based video services, YouTube, Hulu and others like them, which have garnered huge, loyal audiences and have become part of our culture, lexicon and experience in a very short time, will pose a serious threat to traditional TV distributors. Will consumers, they ask, cut the cable cord and rely instead on free, ad-supported Web video rather than paying Comcast (or some other cable, telco or satellite TV provider) $150 per month for a cable package? Maybe, someday, but not anytime soon.
On the other hand, they might just cut the cord in favor of the Virtual MSO.