RSS on your TV

Posted Saturday, October 21, 2006 at 7:24pm in Blogging, Media  | 

I’m thinking out loud in this post. Can you imagine if TVs began being manufactured with built-in internet capabilities. Or in other words, as well as being a 50 inch plasma, HD ready, Sky + enabled super duper widescreen home cinema - you could also subscribe to blogs, podcasts, video blogs or anything else with an RSS feed.

It would work like this: every RSS enabled platform (blogs, podcasts etc) would have its own unique code. So for example, my blog’s code would be something like ‘davies122′ (no particular reason, it’s just a code). This would be placed somewhere easily visibile on my blog or maybe I could include it on my business card and email signature. If a user decides he/she wants to subscribe to my ‘channel’ (I think ‘channel’ sounds more appropriate than ‘RSS feed’ in reference to TV) they would turn on their TV and enter the code with the remote control and voila. This way the end user wouldn’t have to worry about figuring out RSS. It would be just there… much like what I mentioned in a previous post.

For podcasts and video blogs it would work pretty much the same way except it would be delivered (let’s say ‘delivered’ instead of ’syndicated’) using feed enclosures.

I’m not sure if this technology already exists but can you imagine if TV manufacturers began rolling this out? I remember reading someone’s comments (sorry can’t remember who) on how new media will only truly begin to disrupt traditional media when it actually gets in to the living room (or the kitchen… or whatever). Well, maybe something like this would do it.

Half way through writing this post, I stopped to read my feeds and Antony Mayfield’s recent post points to a couple of YouTube competitors. Which triggered another thought. Imagine (yes this post requires a considerable amount of your imagination) if a company like YouTube set up certain channels which, using the technology I’ve mentioned above, allowed end users to easily pick and choose which video they wanted delivered direct to their TV. For example, a Ford enthusiast could choose to have relevant Ford videos sent straight to his TV. No need to search for it… they would just appear as users add them.

Anyway, I’m sure it’s not as simple or straightforward as this. I.e. YouTube videos are Flash based. But I think it’s possible in time. Then what would happen to the mainstream media model? Is anything similar available at the moment? Should I put a patent on it? ;-)

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8 Comments

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Erin Caldwell

Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 9:20pm

Hello Stephen! (Or is it Stephanie? ;-)) Intriguing idea about RSS for TV, especially your idea for how to execute that. But … I think there’s already some form of that already in existence. I was at a seminar this past week where a fella from FeedBurner mentioned something interesting (and relevant to your idea) in his presentation — that TiVo lets you view feeds on your TV. Now, I’m not sure what he meant by that exactly, and a quick look at TiVo’s site didn’t help me (I don’t know enough about TiVo in general to decifer the information on their site). But the idea itself is interesting. Maybe you should talk to this FeedBurner guy and turn this into a new service of your own … you could make millions …

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Drew B

Sunday, October 22, 2006 at 10:07pm

The field of internet TV is quite well developed - especially outside of the UK apparently. You can get set top boxes that do the trick. Currys will have them soon I’m told.

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Stephen

Monday, October 23, 2006 at 9:28am

Erin: That’s interesting to know. Not sure if we have Tivo in the UK. I think the majority of people go for Sky+. Will keep an eye out.

Drew: Ooh nice.
I’ve heard of the Slingbox but that’s a bit different. Again, will keep an eye out.

Note: I was referred to as Stephanie in a work email once. Everyone thought it was funny… including Erin. :)

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samantha wilcox

Monday, October 23, 2006 at 3:15pm

Definately am interesting idea Stephen, people already watch tv on the internet why not the other way around? I’m sure its already being developed somewhere but the general release of the technology would be a big step forward for new media.

Also as a general wondering, and something for people to waste their valuable time on, a question. What would you subscribe to? Mine would have to be PR, Formula one and tennis involving Andy Roddick, how about everyone else?

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Stephen

Monday, October 23, 2006 at 3:20pm

Good question. I would subscribe to PR, knitting, stamp collecting and train spotting.

I need to calm this rock n roll lifestyle down…

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Joanna Tidball

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 4:29am

Steve Rubel has just posted some tips about this very thing - have you been talking to him about this or are you just sharing a brain? http://www.micropersuasion.com/2006/10/pimp_every_room.html

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Stephen

Tuesday, October 24, 2006 at 7:58am

Hah! I think we share a brain… or maybe I’ve inspired him? :)

Steve talks about pimping a home with RSS whereas my idea was to integrate it seamlessly into the TV. Much like what you mentioned at the beers and innovation night, Joanna.

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Andrew

Saturday, October 28, 2006 at 4:56pm

It is interesting that the topic of beautifying RSS is gaining more and more coverage. At idiomag we believe that although RSS feeds are great - aggregating these through a more glossy medium is the best way to connect with the mass market. We have chosen to do it through a sexy Flash magazine…

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