2008 has definitely been the year of streaming TV so far, but this recap on NewTeeVee references a paper [pdf] covering how downloads will eventually come back into flavour, negating all the fuss over net neutrality.
The basic facts are, a good chunk of consumers have broadband that can handle decent quality streams now, and broadcasters understand this model and the control it gives them (side-stepping DRM and the consumer pain that can involve - Kontiki version of iPlayer, we're looking at you).
Problem is, it's wrong to imagine streaming is the end game for online TV. As the nervous coughs in the room at last years' TV keynote from Google's Vint Cerf suggested, proper fast broadband and large home storage that lets you move and entire TV box set around in seconds blows this model out of the water. You don't need wide, smooth connections - just big, chunky ones. For distribution this means cheaper, more reliable infrastructure. [watch Vint on YouTube]
Expect broadcasters to cling to their new, familiar model for longer than technically meaningful - another painful step on the way.
