Previously, on “How to Watch Television”… (Part I here)…

This qualification of the requirement for networks to make up their costs on programming brings us to two examples of networks that are failing in embracing the new market of internet streaming: cable networks (USA, TNT, FX) and FOX. First, there are three distinguishers here: main networks (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX), cable networks, and premium networks (HBO, SHO, Starz). Cable networks are the largest category; we’ll generalize them to all of those hundreds of middle channels you tend to surf through without really stopping. Second, FOX Broadcasting. FOX streams its programs, but has recently started delaying their “legal” release until eight days after broadcasting, conveniently after the next episode has aired. This line of reasoning to try to maximum broadcast profits fails, as we’ll show. Continue Reading