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As we progress into an age where the internet is slowly creeping into all the four corners of the world, there seems to be the notion that the significance of the television is slowly dying. People, especially in the Philippines, are adapting new ways to get their daily dose of entertainment through the internet and slowly forgetting the TV in the corner of the room. Netflix, an entertainment company that provides streaming on-demand online, has opened its subscriptions to the Philippines, and we even have our own version: iFlix. Sites like 123 Movies, Putlocker, Kiss Asian, Drama Cool, and other browsing sites are sprouting like weeds. The amount of information available on the internet continues to grow. But can this internet revolution really be said for all corners of the Philippines?
The television has long been a staple in the Filipino household. In his article A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines, Gonzalez (n.d.) stated how Filipinos use the shows on TV as an inexpensive source of escape from their daily life. When it isn’t used as a means to get away for a while, Filipinos acquire information through news channels like ANC and CNN Philippines, and news shows like TV Patrol and 24 Oras. It can also be used for educational purposes because of channels that cater to their hunger for knowledge on history, science, and day-to-day life through channels like History, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Lifestyle, and other such channels.
But can’t these needs and benefits be appeased by the ever-growing internet? According to a study by Havick (2000), the internet has enough properties to change a society dominated by television. Users can remain free and anonymous on the internet and the accessible information can be more suited to an individual’s personal needs, preferences, and interests. Aside from this, internet users can connect with other users and exchange more information, unlike the linear and one-way communication occurring in TV. However, if information retrieval is more effective on the internet, television seems to be more effective in delivering information. In the case of television and web series, passive and uninvolved television viewers may only watch whatever is delivered and served to them on their plate, while internet users can retrieve the series they choose to watch (Dijkstra & Raaij, 2002).
The internet provides a personal experience to its users. In a generation that values individuality, this particular quality of the internet may serve as a threat to television. A wider selection of available content on the internet also serves as its edge against television.
But despite the many perks that come with being connected to the World Wide Web, the TV still weighs greater than internet usage for Filipino consumers. As stated in a report on Nation Master (2012), 63.1% of Filipino households have a TV set, while there are only 355.68 out of 1000 Filipinos who are internet users. To add to this, Plaza (2016) mentioned that Filipino Netflix users prefer themes of vengeance, bravery, scandal, and heightened emotions, from shows like Narcos, Breaking Bad, and House of Cards, which are also themes present in Filipino telenovelas and fantaseryes.
In a more global context, the internet would be a foe of television, especially as technology is advancing to greater heights. As the internet takes on the many functions of the television, it will soon completely outshine the TV lurking in the background. But in the Philippine context, the internet isn’t the biggest threat, although it isn’t exactly kind to its contenders. It has its purposes and, at some point, works together with the TV to disseminate media messages, especially since many Filipinos are still in the dark when it comes to internet connection and its availability. So for now, the TV will continue to deliver shows to people working 9-5’s and illuminate the dark crevices of sari-sari stores and carinderias around the country. Thus it may not be a friend or a foe, but it is definitely a frenemy. //by Hannah Manalo and Jem Torrecampo
References:
Dejesus, E. X. (1996). How the Internet will replace broadcasting. Byte Magazine, January.
Dijkstra, M., & van Raaij, W. F. (2002). Media effects by involvement under voluntary exposure: A comparison of television, print and static internet. Journal of Euromarketing, 11(2), 1-21.
Havick, J. (2000). The impact of the Internet on a television-based society. Technology in Society, 22(2), 273-287.
Gonzalez, J. L. (n.d.). A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines. Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://politikalon.blogspot.com/2011/01/critique-on-tv-shows-in-philippines.html
Nation Master. (2012). Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Philippines/Media
Plaza, G. (2016, September 26). In Focus: Change Is Ongoing For Filipino TV Viewing Habits. Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://lifestyle.abs-cbn.com/articles/2442/in-focus-change-is-ongoing-for-filipino-tv-viewing-habits/
Rothenberg, R. (2015, April 26). The Future May Belong to Web and Mobile Video, but TV Will Survive. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/future-may-belong-web-and-mobile-video-tv-will-survive-164298/
Opinion: Internet and TV: The Dichotomy Between Frenemies
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| Photo Credit: Jem Torrecampo |
As we progress into an age where the internet is slowly creeping into all the four corners of the world, there seems to be the notion that the significance of the television is slowly dying. People, especially in the Philippines, are adapting new ways to get their daily dose of entertainment through the internet and slowly forgetting the TV in the corner of the room. Netflix, an entertainment company that provides streaming on-demand online, has opened its subscriptions to the Philippines, and we even have our own version: iFlix. Sites like 123 Movies, Putlocker, Kiss Asian, Drama Cool, and other browsing sites are sprouting like weeds. The amount of information available on the internet continues to grow. But can this internet revolution really be said for all corners of the Philippines?
The television has long been a staple in the Filipino household. In his article A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines, Gonzalez (n.d.) stated how Filipinos use the shows on TV as an inexpensive source of escape from their daily life. When it isn’t used as a means to get away for a while, Filipinos acquire information through news channels like ANC and CNN Philippines, and news shows like TV Patrol and 24 Oras. It can also be used for educational purposes because of channels that cater to their hunger for knowledge on history, science, and day-to-day life through channels like History, Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, Lifestyle, and other such channels.
But can’t these needs and benefits be appeased by the ever-growing internet? According to a study by Havick (2000), the internet has enough properties to change a society dominated by television. Users can remain free and anonymous on the internet and the accessible information can be more suited to an individual’s personal needs, preferences, and interests. Aside from this, internet users can connect with other users and exchange more information, unlike the linear and one-way communication occurring in TV. However, if information retrieval is more effective on the internet, television seems to be more effective in delivering information. In the case of television and web series, passive and uninvolved television viewers may only watch whatever is delivered and served to them on their plate, while internet users can retrieve the series they choose to watch (Dijkstra & Raaij, 2002).
The internet provides a personal experience to its users. In a generation that values individuality, this particular quality of the internet may serve as a threat to television. A wider selection of available content on the internet also serves as its edge against television.
But despite the many perks that come with being connected to the World Wide Web, the TV still weighs greater than internet usage for Filipino consumers. As stated in a report on Nation Master (2012), 63.1% of Filipino households have a TV set, while there are only 355.68 out of 1000 Filipinos who are internet users. To add to this, Plaza (2016) mentioned that Filipino Netflix users prefer themes of vengeance, bravery, scandal, and heightened emotions, from shows like Narcos, Breaking Bad, and House of Cards, which are also themes present in Filipino telenovelas and fantaseryes.
In a more global context, the internet would be a foe of television, especially as technology is advancing to greater heights. As the internet takes on the many functions of the television, it will soon completely outshine the TV lurking in the background. But in the Philippine context, the internet isn’t the biggest threat, although it isn’t exactly kind to its contenders. It has its purposes and, at some point, works together with the TV to disseminate media messages, especially since many Filipinos are still in the dark when it comes to internet connection and its availability. So for now, the TV will continue to deliver shows to people working 9-5’s and illuminate the dark crevices of sari-sari stores and carinderias around the country. Thus it may not be a friend or a foe, but it is definitely a frenemy. //by Hannah Manalo and Jem Torrecampo
References:
Dejesus, E. X. (1996). How the Internet will replace broadcasting. Byte Magazine, January.
Dijkstra, M., & van Raaij, W. F. (2002). Media effects by involvement under voluntary exposure: A comparison of television, print and static internet. Journal of Euromarketing, 11(2), 1-21.
Havick, J. (2000). The impact of the Internet on a television-based society. Technology in Society, 22(2), 273-287.
Gonzalez, J. L. (n.d.). A Critique on the TV Shows in the Philippines. Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://politikalon.blogspot.com/2011/01/critique-on-tv-shows-in-philippines.html
Nation Master. (2012). Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/profiles/Philippines/Media
Plaza, G. (2016, September 26). In Focus: Change Is Ongoing For Filipino TV Viewing Habits. Retrieved 4 April 2017 from http://lifestyle.abs-cbn.com/articles/2442/in-focus-change-is-ongoing-for-filipino-tv-viewing-habits/
Rothenberg, R. (2015, April 26). The Future May Belong to Web and Mobile Video, but TV Will Survive. Retrieved April 04, 2017, from http://www.adweek.com/tv-video/future-may-belong-web-and-mobile-video-tv-will-survive-164298/
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