THE LAST WORD
By Pat Coughlan
Television in Ireland is in the middle a revolution! Gone are the fixed TV schedules, making way for the reign of streaming services and smart TVs, our modern thrones. We’re entering a new era where TV suggests shows quicker than a barman pours a pint unless it’s Guinness of course. Free-to-air services are evolving, offering future tastes without cost. This shift towards personalised, accessible TV viewing is exciting, heralding a future where TV knows us well.
Streaming has transformed our TV-watching habits, offering a global buffet of shows on demand. No longer tied to a schedule, we discover unique series showcasing diverse cultures and stories — like having the world in our living room, minus the weather. It’s a shift from traditional TV; missed episodes are a thing of the past. With content ranging from British dramas to Irish comedies available anytime, it connects and delights us all, marking a true revolution.
Free-to-air television, a dependable staple, evolves to stay relevant amidst the digital age and competing subscription models. These broadcasters blend tradition with modern updates, like improved digital interfaces and unique content, to ensure compelling programming endures. This strategy is akin to a classic pub getting a modern revamp, proving that quality entertainment can still thrive without subscription fees. As such, free-to-air services seamlessly integrate the old with the new, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a changing media landscape.
These innovative devices have made traditional channel browsing obsolete, fostering family gatherings into interactive viewing sessions. Now, debates over the remote have shifted to exploring a vast array of apps and streaming services, making it easier for everyone to find their preferred entertainment.
Smart TVs serve as modern hearths, where voices command the remote to bring forth all manner of shows, catering to varied tastes and enhancing family togetherness. Truly, smart TVs have redefined the essence of the living room, symbolising the advancement of our communal viewing experience.
Ever marvelled at your streaming service, intuitively recommending shows as if it’s reading your mind? This isn’t just fluke, but a blend of advanced algorithms at work, mirroring the knack of a close friend knowing your tastes. This bespoke viewing journey is the result of tech wizards meticulously curating content, so it feels uniquely yours, transforming a simple evening into an engaging escapade. It’s a modern marvel where technology meets personal taste, redefining entertainment. All of which asks the question how they do that – but that’s for another day.
And so to our beloved hurling in the TV of tomorrow. The evolution of TV and streaming brings into question the accessibility of hurling, now often behind paywalls. Platforms like GAAGO partnerships involving RTÉ and the GAA, have taken control, shifting viewing from traditional to digital. This change prompts discussions about accessibility and the preservation of hurling as part of our cultural identity, amid monetisation efforts. Ensuring the global Irish community and fans maintain access to these games is crucial. The ongoing dialogue should aim at balancing tradition with modern consumption practices, keeping the essence of hurling widely accessible.
So, what will be the cost you might be wondering, what’s the damage going to be to our wallets or Revolut account? Well, a lot of what’s changing will still be on the house for us viewers. The free-to-air channels are upping their game without adding extra cost and, even with smart TVs and streaming, there’s a lot of content that won’t cost you a penny more.
Sure, for some premium bits, you’ll have to splash out, but there’s plenty to enjoy without breaking the bank.
It’s a brave new world, and we’re buzzing with excitement for what’s to come. The future’s looking bright, filled with endless viewing choices.
Let’s embrace it with open arms…
