Is Television Really Out of the Game?

Is Television Really Out of the Game?Honestly, we didn't have many sophisticated entertainment options when we were younger. Plus, with limited ways to spread information, television was almost the sole channel for us to learn about the world

Is Television Really Out of the Game?

Honestly, we didn't have many sophisticated entertainment options when we were younger. Plus, with limited ways to spread information, television was almost the sole channel for us to learn about the world. I distinctly remember spending entire weekends glued to the TV, watching all sorts of interesting programs, never getting enough. But things seem different today. In recent years, numerous reports indicate a significant decline in television "on-time" in our country. On average, it might be less than 30%! Why is television, once beloved by everyone, now "out of the game"? How can we address this issue?

1. The "Usability" Issue: A Pain Point That Can't Be Ignored

Television has undergone a dramatic transformation, from an essential "must-have" for every family to a gradually ignored, even jokingly labeled "decoration" by some internet users. But when we delve into the reasons behind this shift, they're actually quite simple. As internet users put it, television is "difficult to use" and "has nothing interesting to watch," these two pain points being the main culprits.

I don't think anyone would disagree with the "difficult to use" claim. Even comparing it to its past self, without even considering newer tools, reveals a significant problem! In the past, turning on a TV connected to a coaxial cable, from pressing the switch to seeing the TV signal, took no more than 3 seconds. Nowadays, to watch a program, you're greeted with an initial barrage of ads, followed by navigating through menus to select the signal source, switching to the HDMI connection for the set-top box. You think that's it? It's only the "initial completion." You then need to grab another remote, perform a series of operations, only then accessing the set-top box system. Finally, you find the program you want, press the OK button, and it finally plays on full screen. This is already a simplified process!

Many internet users, even those who identify as "digital enthusiasts," admit to feeling lost with modern television. Some even share that they've tried multiple times to figure out how to operate it, wasting a lot of time and leaving them with frustrating memories.

But this isn't the worst part! The most frustrating experience is reserved for senior citizens, who are the "main audience" for television nowadays. On one hand, they have limited capacity for accepting and learning new things. On the other hand, they have plenty of time to watch TV programs. Logically, they should be the target group for special attention and optimization. But as mentioned earlier, many young people, even those "familiar" with digital products, find modern television confusing. Expecting senior citizens to master its various "ins and outs" is quite demanding. Not to mention all the other complexities, just navigating through multiple remotes would leave most confused! If they have children around, it's fine, they can rely on them to help with "troubleshooting" the TV. But imagine those living alone without family members, they would essentially be saying goodbye to their televisions.

Even if you manage to somehow figure out how to use it, the journey isn't over. There are various "traps" set by manufacturers, such as "nested" subscription traps. Suddenly, you're prompted that certain programs require a membership. This is understandable, content payment isn't an issue. But the experience doesn't noticeably improve after paying, and they keep pushing for higher-tier memberships. It's no wonder that many say that modern television isn't very smart in terms of usage, but quite "smart" in its charging methods!

2. Lack of Competition in Content: The Challenge of New-Age Technology

Aside from these usability issues, a more critical issue is that many find the content "uninteresting." Many share that the quality of TV programs is far from what it used to be. This is primarily because television now competes with various "short and long video platforms" on the internet. These platforms can use precise algorithms to recommend content you might like, something television lacks. If you haven't experienced "personalized recommendations" in the past, you might still patiently flip through TV channels to find your favorite programs. But for those who have gone through this transformation, it's inevitable to feel that modern programs are increasingly "meaningless," in simpler words, new-age technology has surpassed older technologies.

But this doesn't necessarily mean that television has no place in today's world. Instead, we need to make some changes to revitalize its potential.

3. How to Revitalize Television: Requires Multifaceted Efforts

For instance, the government has noticed the issue of "multiple remotes," and the primary cause is the "set-top box." This device was introduced when televisions weren't smart, but to provide more functions. It was a "transitional" product, but now it has become a usability barrier! This is the key point that needs to be addressed. The first step is to solve the issue of inconsistent control. There are two main approaches: the first is to develop and promote functionality where one remote control can manage multiple devices. This would allow seamless switching between the TV and set-top box with a single remote, reducing user difficulty. The second is, if possible, to gradually eliminate this "transitional" device, as many new TVs can have that function built-in, eliminating the need for two separate devices.

The third point is to simplify the operational steps. Ideally, different modes can be customized based on individual needs. For senior citizens, they should be able to open their televisions and see programs right away. Operations should only require changing channels and volume, without too much complexity.

Beyond these points in progress, I believe we need to adjust content providers. Instead of requiring 4-5 memberships for a single television to access content, we should integrate resources and charge reasonably.

4. Future Outlook: Television Needs Self-Reformation to Return to Glory

Television faces unprecedented challenges in a rapidly evolving technological landscape, but it also holds infinite possibilities. Whether it's simplifying and upgrading its functions or enriching and innovating its content, it requires collaborative efforts from the television industry. Only by continuously reforming itself can television revitalize its potential and return to its former glory.

What do you think needs improvement? Share your thoughts in the comments section!

References:

[1] Guangming Daily - 2024.08.01 "Confirmed! One Remote Control to Rule All TVs!"

[2] Financial World - 2024.04.04 "On-Time Plummets, Are Chinese People Not Watching Television Anymore?"

[3] Guangming Daily - 2024.01.29 "On-Time and Purchase Rate Plummet, Is No One Watching Television Anymore?"

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