• by Wayne Friedman , Staff Writer, October 7, 2011

According to Anne Sweeney, president of Disney-ABC Television Group, we just don't know what television will become -- but one thing's for sure, it will continue to be strong and influential -- and more personal. She said: "Television has always been something you watch. Now, increasingly, it's also something you do."

 

TV will be even more personal? How close does it need to be?

All this comes as the new iPhone 4S has been released with a HAL-like personal assistant, Siri, which will give me suggestions about bunch steak houses in Sacramento. And I don't even like steak.

TV wants to bring me suggestions for new shows -- from friends, near-friends, acquaintances, wannabe friends, or perhaps Simon Cowell or Hank Azaria (who apparently would also like to be friends ). Do I know Cowell or Azaria? I'm pretty sure I haven't met them.

With futurist movies like "Minority Report," I can see where we are headed: waving our hands in front of large, glass-like, see-through screens to access video content -- as well as perhaps, info about future crimes about to happen!

Media technology has many good uses. Right now -- for many media professionals -- the sell is that "TV is there for when I need it -- on any device." But those same media executives in charge will eventually want me to use more of it. So, we get this lure of stuff being more "personal" -- for movies, TV, video games, news, targeted-advertising, and social media connections.

Personal TV doesn't necessary mean intrusive media. Holographic TV shows flying in my line of sight, in the kitchen, walking to my favorite coffee place, are probably not that far off.

I guess we'll be able to turn stuff off -- but not everything. Media money needs to be made from all that personal attention.