TV cowers under the might of the Internet too

I know this class is more about print, but I've found myself wondering how TV and film are faring in relation to the internet (what with Netflix, illegal downloading, etc.) Well I just came across an article posted yesterday at the NYTimes about GE planning to sell NBC to Comcast (Comcast? Really?) and it cites this reason:

Although the News Corporation, the conglomerate controlled by Rupert Murdoch, considered making an offer, Comcast was the lone serious suitor, a testament to the uncertain future of mainstream media, as the Internet has fractured audiences and few viable business models have emerged for the distribution of content online.

Just another person parroting what we've said 400 billion times in class, I know, but at least from my experience, TV has been thought of as a "safer" industry than print (this one time an older guy, an alumnus of Pitt, said, when I told him I was a writing major, "Welp, hope you're thinking to get into TV!")

The article also says NBC's ratings are last place in primetime. What? The Office and 30 Rock are the only two prime time shows I watch right now. Apparently having two Emmy-winning comedies doesn't mean jack-shit:

In a risky move, Jeffrey Zucker, the head of NBC Universal, moved Mr. Leno into the 10 p.m. slot, clearing the way for Conan O’Brien at 11:30 and radically remaking prime time.
But so far the move has only produced lackluster ratings and a poor lead-in to local news, further exacerbating NBC’s problems in prime time. The move has also become emblematic of network television’s struggle to re-imagine itself at a time of declining ad revenues and online competition.

Sort of funny, but when I first moved into my apartment I decided I only wanted internet because I can do without TV (thanks to Hulu and Netflix) and landlines are worthless. And the Comcast website said it would be 20 bucks a month. But then the lovely Comcast lady goes, "Oh, well, internet by itself is $69.99, BUT you can get this awesome splendiferous package with digital cable for only $74.99!!!!!!!!!" So I said, "Okay," but thought, "Eff you Comcast and your overpriced bullshit. Why am I paying you anyway, you annoying middleman? Shouldn't I be paying the people who actually make the content?"

So I guess now I am. Kind of.