Originally Posted by
SFO_LHR_NRT
I personally think broadcast TV (OTA, satellite, and cable) will be dead within the next decade or two. Eventually everything including live TV will be streamed multicast over some sort of TCP/IP transmission, the holdback is not if but when we can achieve sustained data throughout to flying aircraft in order for this to happen. The TVs you buy at the store are about to ditch their ATSC tuners and services like DirectTV to the home may no longer exist let alone on aircraft.
I think United Next is a good step as it may provide a platform for upgrades in the future. Or I could be wrong and some sort of broadcast will still be used in the foreseeable future.
I still prefer DirecTV and always use it. There is just tons more choice for programming even if it isnt ondemand. I always find something to watch. I rarely find any thing of interest on the IFE. Maybe what they offer just isnt for my demo.
IMHO, Bring your own IFE, even if streaming on your own device from the plane or internet is NOT IFE. Unless the screen is built into the seat, I don't consider it to be IFE.
Two decades is a long time. Sure, it might take that long for UA to retrofit their planes.