Are you a streaming-fan, wondering what’s in store for you in 2021 and beyond?
You might have noticed the increasing number of streaming services in the past years. What is the future of streaming itself going to look like?
The digital age of distribution has given rise to the new era of streaming content.
Emerging technologies like 5G promise to revolutionize the industry in ways we can only speculate. With a 1-millisecond latency, 5G enables real-time data transmission. Imagine all the streaming possibilities!
We’re going to explain what’s about to become more popular and what might evolve in the coming years. If you want to learn all about the streaming revolution that’s only getting started, keep reading!
Television Streaming
We’ve all seen the demise of broadcast and cable television.
Increasing numbers of younger demographics shun TV programming entirely. They favor getting their visual entertainment on-demand from streaming platforms. The problem with this is over-saturation.
Our favorite television shows end up spread out over a multitude of services, often exclusively. If we want access to all of them, we might have to pay for several subscription services.
At the moment, this might still be more affordable than a cable package. Viewers end up paying for many channels that they don’t care for, just because they’re bundled together.
Algorithms already dominate most streaming platforms. User data provides the information that’s needed to make and prioritize content suggestions.
In the future, this data will be acquired and utilized in increasingly intelligent ways. A tailored and personalized user experience will be the expectation.
Audiences are often frustrated at having to flip back-and-forth between multiple streaming services. Platforms that strike mutual agreements with other content providers will lead the market. Those that deliver the best user experience will be at the forefront too.
“Content is king” as Bill Gates once wrote, and when it comes to streaming services, this is certainly true. To differentiate, services need to emulate the past successes of big broadcasters.
Original programming is a must. All the major players are already plowing billions of dollars into production budgets. As the pandemic continues to rage and affect movie theatre attendance, there is a larger hole for streaming to fill.
Group Streaming
Another consequence of the coronavirus outbreak is that the future of streaming might be communal, at least for now.
Those wanting to recreate the excitement of movie night demand group streaming technology. Most of the major streaming platforms created a group watch function since social distancing began. There is much room to improve many of these ideas.
Many group streaming features require a computer or limit communications to text chat. Devices like gaming-consoles and add-on peripherals could step in to improve the experience.
Under normal circumstances, privacy concerns might shoot-down televisions with built-in webcams and mics. As covid-19 endures, these concerns may ultimately get overridden by a consumer’s need to connect with their friends for movie night.
If the technology can meet the demand, the popularity of group streaming might continue beyond the pandemic.
If latency is reduced, there is room for visual entertainment and video-games to merge. Interactive experiences might be a whole new market in addition to video content. Streaming technology will allow all kinds of experiments with augmented and virtual reality.
Perhaps the movie theatre will even be recreated in a headset in the coming years. Things attempted before could be finally enabled by increased demand and advanced infrastructure.
Streaming Technology
There’s been a mix of buzz and controversy in the 5G industry.
Mobile communications with faster reaction times than a human have massive implications. What could this technology bring us shortly? What lies beyond the evolution of the entertainment streaming service?
Instead of isolating at home during a pandemic, or going for a lonely walk in nature, augmented reality could bring our friends with us in real-time. Virtual tour experiences have become popular in 2020. With 5G, remote-presence devices might allow us instant access to anywhere on the globe. YouTube channels have also made it easier for everyone to stream content of their choice.
Imagine renting a drone to fly over a tourist spot from home. The internet-of-things is expected to grow exponentially. This means that real-time data will be streamed into many devices.
Cities across the world will likely become more “smart” as these technologies have a greater influence on everyday living.
The Future of Streaming
The future of streaming may extend far beyond anything we’ve already experienced. What marvels might await us beyond the next few years?
The AI of self-driving vehicles may be improved by data sources and sensors on the street. Collision-avoidance systems, as used in the airline industry, might share information between vehicles. This could warn of hazards and extend sensor ranges.
Traffic-lights and signs might be able to send data straight to the car and smartphones may signal the presence of a pedestrian in the road.
The medical industry is already full of internet-connected devices. Real-time internet connections have enormous implications for doctors.
With latency reduced to 1-millisecond, we have the potential for devices with reaction times that may be faster than a human. This makes robot-assisted telesurgery a real possibility – even from a remote location!
Also Read: What Is Digital Eye Strain: Your Tech Habits Might Be Making it Worse
Of course, the dark side of all these exciting possibilities, are the security concerns. With such enormous amounts of data to be mined, what if it gets into the wrong hands? What are the risks if a 5G enable hospital is compromised in a hack?
In the airline industry, autopilot prevents the regular exercise of many manual flying skills. Taking-off and landing become the main tasks practiced.
Will surgeons become reliant on robot-assisted technology? Will they still be able to operate manually if the technology fails?
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We’ve given you a glimpse into the future of streaming, and there’s a lot to be excited about. Don’t let tomorrow’s must-see technology news escape you.
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