TV Broadcasts: Internet and Live TV Broadcasts

Although many computer users would never want to give up their television sets, they may find themselves less inclined to perch themselves in front of the TV and more apt to surf the Internet for news, sports and entertainment. Modern technology has enabled both kinds of information sources to be combined, resulting in the telecast of numerous live and pre-recorded programs over the World Wide Web. The broadcasts that are currently available online include popular television shows, educational programming, classic and independent movies, and local, national and international news and sports.

When computer users first go to these web sites featuring TV broadcasts, they are usually directed to a channel guide or menu to choose the kind of programming that they want to watch. Once selected, the programs are then broadcast via the Internet as 'streaming media' and are transmitted to such viewers as RealPlayer and Windows Media Player. These broadcasts may or may not require some download time to be played over the viewers.

RealPlayer and Windows Media Player can be downloaded for free through their own sites and do require certain minimum computer capabilities in order for broadcasts to be adequately viewed. Although the video quality of these viewers is increased at faster Internet connections, online telecasts have yet to compare with the picture stability and clear image resolution of television. Still, one doesn't have to pay outrageous cable bills or satellite fees to see broadcasts of a variety of shows as long as they have access to the World Wide Web.