I think channels make us wait, so they get more viewers for a show at a specific time. If a show does not get enough viewers in the evening like 7PM, there is a chance the show would get cancelled because fewer companies like car companies, electronic stores, and fast food restaurants will buy expensive TV ads if fewer people watch the shows during the evening.Skeithex wrote: I like to think that if tv channels do go on demand, they will be exactly the same they are now, but instead of having to wait 4PM to watch a show you can watch it anytime. But like anything, license for shows expire sooner or later.
Making people wait could also make a show more popular because more people will use Twitter, and Facebook to post about a certain show at once which makes the show a trending/viral topic on social networking sites if enough people post about it online.
Some very popular shows gets re-broadcast many times a week, so you can set a DVR to record it. Some DVRs let you set recordings by logging into an internet account to control your DVR's recording schedule when you are away from home.
Fans can re-watch some shows online on the official website or video sites like YouTube, or non-legal websites or services like Bittorrent, and un-official show fan sites if the show is popular enough to have a huge fan following.