Advances in display technology will see news reports on cereal packets and screens that occupy an entire wall by 2020
The traditional TV set will be replaced by a number of 'flexible viewing devices'

TV on cornflakes packets by 2020

It's telly, but not as we know it

Will Head

Advances in display technology will see news reports on cereal packets and screens that occupy an entire wall by 2020, a new report claims.

2020 Future Vision, compiled by cable company NTL Telewest, was based on the insights of futurologists, consumer technology experts and design gurus. 

Advertisement

The report predicts that the traditional TV set will be replaced by a number of "flexible viewing devices".

The development of ultra-thin displays will result in the introduction of video "wallpaper" and tiles that can turn an entire wall into a screen.

Other innovations expected in the next 20 years are video displays on breakfast cereal packets, and screens that can show two different programmes at the same time depending on the angle from which they are viewed.

Internet access will be available through connected displays embedded in magazine pages.

So-called appointment TV, where broadcasters dictate viewing schedules, will be replaced by full on-demand services. Viewers will be able to dictate plot changes in programmes and cast virtual actors for particular storylines.

"Watching TV in 2020 will be a truly mind-blowing experience, putting the viewer in complete control," said Mark Horley, Future Vision panellist and head of TV strategy at NTL Telewest.

"New technologies like TV on demand are already allowing us to break free from the schedule, but the entire lounge will be adaptable to each viewer's preferences in the future.

"As wallpaper screens and other devices replace the traditional box, and innovations such as 3D TV take off, we will really feel part of the action."

  • Have your say
  • Send to a friend
  • Print
  • Digg
  • Reddit
  • Share

Tags:

Do you agree?

Further reading

MySpace is to sell television episodes on its site

MySpace to sell TV episodes

24 – this could be the worst day of Apple's life

BSkyB trials MediaFLO for mobile TV

Qualcomm technology competes with DVB-H and DMB

Death of TV adverts exaggerated

Television ads thriving despite time-shifting services like Sky+

Analysts split over future of mobile TV

Commercial prospects of broadcast to mobiles remains unclear

Related whitepapers

Related jobs

Most watched

V3.co.uk weekly debrief, 13 Nov 09

This week we discuss the inaugural V3.co.uk Summit

Summit: Salesforce.com on SaaS and information overload

How web services contribute to data headaches

Analysis and Reports

Remote access - Three steps to getting connected

3.4 million UK professionals now work from home – is your company equipped?

Cost benefits of a global collaboration network

This white paper is a must read for organisations looking for evidence of the bottom-line benefits of high-definition video and voice communications

Poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

Impact of Information Overload poll

What is the biggest problem your firm faces as a result of the data explosion?

View poll results

Advertisement

White paper library

Keep up to date with the latest products, services and technologies from the world's leading IT companies; IThound.com brings you over 6,000 white papers, case studies and analyst reports.

Advertisement

Newsletter signup

Sign up for our range of FREE newsletters:

Existing User

Newsletter user login:

Enter email address to edit your newsletter preferences

Job of the week

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Hiring now on ComputingCareers:

Related IT jobs

Search thousands of IT jobs :

Search thousands of IT jobs:

Advanced search

Advertisement

Spotlight

V3.co.uk weekly debrief, 13 Nov 09

This week we discuss the inaugural V3.co.uk Summit

Fingers on keyboard

New Flash vulnerability discovered

Web sites could be vulnerable to Flash attacks

Chris Adams

Summit: Microsoft Office to the rescue

Chris Adams, Office Client product manager for Microsoft UK, explains...

Illegal downloader

Industry and human rights campaigners united in opposition to "three strikes" plan

Critics says government proposals to curb illegal downloading are unworkable...

Primary Navigation