Netflix has risen to become a key player in providing programming content to entertain the masses. Amazon is now entering the same arena as Netflix, and will most likely help fuel a more competitive market, attracting more and more viewers away from traditional and more expensive cable companies. They have begun to impact the way that Hollywood does business, by providing different avenues through which programs can be produced and which do not involve the traditional networks, ratings and advertising. Anecdotally, I hear more and more of people who are canceling their traditional television cable feed in favor of Netflix. You can power watch a series (view multiple episodes in a row) or movie without having to be interrupted by commercials.  The most attractive feature is the portability of the service.  Since it is streaming media, all that is need is internet access.  No longer is it necessary to be restricted to only watching where there is a cable connection.  So what does this mean for companies like Shaw Cable?

For the time being cable is still on top, with 70% of the market share still subscribing, with Netflix holding 41% of the remaining 30%. This is impressive for a company that has only been operating in it’s current form since 2007. I think it is time for traditional cable companies to examine and redefine their current business models, as the home entertainment business is evolving and changing and they do not want to be left in the dust. As exhibited by Blackberry, you can have a great product, but timing is everything, and moving too slowly can lead to self-destruction in today’s quickly changing world.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57605444-93/netflix-most-popular-online-tv-service-

but-cable-still-king/