The fact that DVD & broadcast TV consumption are in sharp decline is nothing new. Users are leaning towards online video streaming and digital platforms. That's true. But are DVDs dead already?
Microsoft recently announced its new operating system, Windows 8, will include Windows Media Player, yet no DVD playback support; something that seems slightly drastic.
The announcement led hundreds of users to express their anger on social networks and forums, thus forcing the tech giant to share the reasons behind its decision.
In a statement in its website, the company stated "the media landscape has changed quite significantly since the release of Windows 7. Our telemetry data and user research shows us that the vast majority of video consumption on the PC and other mobile devices is coming from online sources such as YouTube, Hulu, Netflix, or any of the other myriad of online and downloadable video services available."
In addition, Steven Sinofsky, president of the Windows division at Microsoft, stated "these traditional media playback scenarios, optical media and broadcast TV, require a specialized set of decoders (and hardware) that cost a significant amount in royalties." Someone must take care of these costs: either Microsoft, the manufacturers or the users.
Therefore, the company decided not to include the aforementioned feature, allowing those who find it necessary to pay for it.
Microsoft's decision raises several questions. Did they rush into this? Maybe. Yet, something seems certain: whether people like it or not, the content industry is veering towards an inevitable "marriage" with the internet and new technologies; leaving behind former business models. At Microsoft, at least, they seem to understand this new scenario quite clearly.
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