Entertainment moving online

To the population born after 1980, it is easy to understand entertainment moving online. For some baby boomers, however, this fact, or at least the speed of this cultural change, may still be sinking in.

Think of the irony in terms of parenting. The typical child of the 1950s was practically raised by TV, and this distraction became the target for much criticism. TV has been blamed for sedentary lifestyles, leading to inactivity and childhood obesity. As a result, many who grew out of the TV land generation vowed to limit their children's viewing time. Though television has proven to be a mainstay, in many respects that screen has been replaced by another, evident by entertainment moving online.

The online world is growing rapidly and people are watching their favorite shows online, buy their clothing online and even do their food shopping online. Free TV shows are easily viewed through sites like Hulu and food can be ordered and delivered by services such as Peapod. Exercise TV offers exercise videos for free or purchase, while Netflix has gained popularity for movies.

Distance education, once viewed as an inferior type of learning, increases in acceptance. In addition to online universities, some local schools have extended their adult education program to offer their residents courses online. Communication, as a form of entertainment, extends beyond e-mail. Skype replaced phone calls for distant relatives and friends who enjoy the audio/video aspect when reaching out across continents.

Why has online entertainment become the preferred form of amusement and diversion? In addition to advanced technology, the answer lies with portability, time management, and economics. The convenience of shows, movies, roulette and shopping on demand has proven to be irresistible, given the time constraints of a fast-paced society. As the consumer base expands, now starting at an early age, these devices have shown increasing affordability. Will the computer, Smartphone and iPad ever replace live shopping, theatres and television? For a number of people, it already has.

The recession has forced individuals and families to scrutinize their household budgets and shift priorities. If the combined expense of extended cable TV services and high-speed internet is financially burdensome, and users are forced to choose, expect that the internet will win out and we will continue to see entertainment moving online.