Internet Shows Watch Early People Original Companies Programs

In the old days, if you wanted to watch a television show or a movie at home, you turned on your television. First, there were "network channels," which everyone got if they owned a TV. Then came "cable television" that allowed many more channels to be seen through the TV. More recently, people are watching TV shows and movies through their Internet service.

Internet-based "content" (materials; programs) "exploded" (become very big, very popular) in the early 2010's. People who wanted to watch TV shows and movies could now see them through their Internet services "on demand" (when they want them) and often weeks, months, or years after their original "broadcast" (showing on TV) or "release" (showing in movie theaters). This was made simpler as it became easier to watch these programs right on television screens, not just on a computer screen.

In the early 2010's, Internet companies began to "green light" (give permission to begin a project) and "finance" (pay for) original "series" (programs with many episodes or shows) that people could pay to watch through their Internet service. Companies like Netflix, a very popular video rental company in the U.S., and Amazon had traditionally been resellers, businesses that took other people's products and sold them. Beginning in the early 2010's, they began "commissioning" (giving permission and money to make) original programs.

They had some early successes. That's not surprising, especially since these companies had "invested" (put money into something with the expectation of earning money) big in Internet shows, with some shows costing $1 million per episode to "produce" (make). By comparison, network shows cost about $2 million to produce, but the Internet shows had the look and feel of "major productions" (high-quality projects). Only time will tell how future generations will get their entertainment, perhaps in ways none of us can imagine right now.