Internet TV is such a powerful idea. The ability to effectively interact with such a rich and historic media is the next great challenge.

Traditional TV is Mindless... in a Good Way.

The TV has a special place that internet TV has not quite taken, but could very easily. I began to really think about how I would separate them in my mind. I personally like the TV because it's mindless. After a long day of work, nothing is better than flipping through the channels and just settling on something. I become more engaged very quickly once I find something, and satisfaction has been met. After a long day of work, and I go to Hulu and select TV shows, I'm suddenly faced with more decisions and analysis than I had the last hours of work! If you're following a series, no problem, but if you need moving picture as a buffer, the television is mindless and perfect.

Meet in the Middle

The TV and other media that are not too interactive offer this relaxed interaction. If Hulu would offer a "Surfing" mode so that when you log in, a TV show is already streaming, and not necessarily in the beginning, I think this would show some interesting results. The ability to flip through shows that are streaming currently, and then a "start over" button at the bottom. It's these "less decisions, more relaxing" approaches that will allow users (older demographic especially) to meet in the middle and still see internet TV as as television, and not a cue of media. Technology has allowed Internet TV to completely reinvent itself, but should consider the fundamentals of what makes a typical TV experience what it is... It's mindless and easy. Let me know what you think.