The airwaves are free to the extent that a broadcaster only has to push its signal out once for all to receive.
Streaming video is a pull model, where all the consumers compete for traffic through a finite pipeline of coaxial cable or DSL. If too many people stream at once, the whole system clogs up and bogs down.
Are we there yet?
-PJ
That is true.
Also, the ‘networks’ have to develop a viable and profitable operational mode. Otherwise, they cannot afford to develop new programs.
Right now, the broadcast venue is paying for the development and networks put their programs online more as a curtesy.
One of the big problems for broadcast networks is that people may not want to sit still for 20 minutes of commercials each hour via computer monitors or streaming.