Online offerings from the major networks

Last 100 took a look at the online offering of the 5 major TV networks in the US and they ended up with some notable sightings.

To start, the way video streaming is offered from their websites the user-experience is not very mature. Typically the user-interface is busy and hard to manage, and at the same time the way shows come and stay for streaming is not logic. I right away get the feeling (as also in the article) that the companies do not know what they actually want. On the other hand it would be valuable for them to see their own web sites as a distribution channel and monetize with ads, but the business model (that almost all are using) of selling shows on iTunes or some other online shop is a lot clearer and easier.

I don't believe the problem is in technology maturity. These giants could easily manage video streaming if they wanted, the problem is in the business model. There is no clear cut winner yet for the best way to monetize online video. Possibly as overlaying ads on videos gets more traction, streaming video will become a more lucrative opportunity for the networks, and the delivery channel will mature.