Do you remember the TV Guide?

Last night, while my wife and I were cooking dinner, my wife asked, “What’s on TV tonight?”

I told her, “Anything you want.” (I knew we were watching TNF on Amazon).

It hit me right then, after 40 years in the Cable and Broadcast business, I no longer knew what was on when (CTV spoiled me). I used to memorize the program. I could tell you what aired on any Network 8-11 p.m., without even blinking. 

Viewing was rigid. 

Appointment TV was a real appointment. 

We actually had to wait a week to see the next episode of our favorite shows. Even when the DVR showed up, I still watched live like some loyal hostage.

Ever since streaming went mainstream around 2017, that grid I knew like the back of my hand? Gone. Erased. Replaced by a world where people watch whatever they want, whenever they want, wherever they want, without asking permission from the network gods.

We still watch a couple of network shows, and last night my wife asked if we could watch ahead like we do on streaming. I had to break the news 

 “Networks don’t do that yet.” … that’s a whole other post.

#CTV and #streaming always getting better for viewers and advertisers.