“Television viewership is up from last year.” Jeff Zucker said to a semi-packed audience listening to the on going debate of whether Web Video is the demise or savior of traditional TV.

The panelist, most of which were from major network or cable TV, except one who was from Google Video seem to think it will usually only aide television.

I was sitting in my chair thinking, “Oh my God, who would have ever thought that the viewer would ever be the biggest competition to TV.” No one said that on the panel, but major networks are no longer the sole provider of content and that is what is so exciting about being in the TV industry today.

The president of Pepsi does not have to worry that a guy in Texas will present a better tasting cola, but that same guy could get bored one day pull out his video cell phone make an obnoxious 2 minute video upload it to YouTube or Google Video and it become an instant hit across the nation! However, Larry Kramer of CBS made a good point that success for the internet can mean much lower viewers than network TV, but for how much longer?

I think the dialogue was amazing. The panelist you can tell really have a grip on what is happening and are also hanging on for dear life to stay afloat in the ever changing world of TV.

I know there are challenges to come, but that is what I love about TV…the never ending stress of making things entertaining. Not perfect, because if you look at YouTube, perfect things aren’t popular.

I look forward to a day that after work I come home sit on the couch check my email, watch some crazy viral video, and then watch The Office all from my TV and that will happen soon, atleast I hope!