Are Shiny Corporate Business going Bye-Bye?

With the writers strike going on for who knows how much longer, it makes me wonder if corporate television stations, as well as magazines like Rollingstone and Spin have a real voice in reflecting an audience appeal. Personally, it has been years since I went out and bought a magazine or sat down in front of the TV to watch my favorite shows. Instead, I check out blogs or personal websites, and upload shows before they are taken off the web. I am not the only one doing this and businesses have their tighty whiteys in a bunch.

The internet is the easiest and fastest way to promote and update news and information. Corporate businesses are losing an audience and their money due to personal and fan promoting. The power hungry businesses try to find ways to keep their power, only find their grasp slowing loosening. Take the RIAA, for example. Keeping kids from downloading music is like running into a brick wall. Back in the day, I remember recording off the radio and making mixed tapes. Music has always been “stolen” to some extent, yet record labels are still unsuccessful finding ways to block access.

Now, individuals are independent and learning how to multi-task, depending on fansites and bloggers to help promote. Instead of crying like a baby like Metallica did once upon a time, artists like Nine Inch Nails, Radiohead and Madonna, are taking things into their own hands and making their art on their own, while keeping some sort of day job that offers more financial stability. Perhaps these artists have always taken an active approach on their careers, but this means full control – no corporate companies to represent or distribute their work.

In the television world, NBC and CBS show full length episodes of their most popular series online for free. Although they have their glitches, I know I take full advantage of it. Being able to watch my favorite shows at my own time makes me a happier person. I believe that this is the future of television. Our computers will be our televisions and it will be legal. I used to frequent tv-links, a UK website that had every movie and television series imaginable, only to find it being taken off the web for copyright infringement. However, just a few weeks later another website popped up. (If you want to know what it is, then email me because they aren’t taking this one away from me!! Damn it!!) This is what the people want and eventually, the corporate idiots will have to give in and do what the consumers desire.

Consumers want more convenience and to free-load when possible. Writers go on strike for more money from their corporate bosses. Musicians go independent and get internet savvy. Thus, corporate businesses are frazzled. Either way, someone is going to win and we, the consumers are the ones who determine the outcome.