What is the significance of third and fourth screens in relation to television?

The color TV was a major milestone in television history. 
From: https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4085/5170714201_c337636c0e_b.jpg

     Television is ever changing. Just like every other kind of technology, television is always evolving and improving. In the beginning, television was simply a dream. How could we transmit images from place and send it to another? Was it even possible because television images could not physically float through the air? Eventually, the first television picture was transmitted electronically in 1927. From there, television really took off. Different television stations were introduced to the public. People could buy television sets for their home use. Color television was invented, which changed television forever. Cable services were introduced to the home, which allowed people to get more channels for a certain price each month. Finally, third and fourth screens became popular. Television continues to be one of the main forms of entertainment in America today. But, as time goes on third and fourth screens may take over television. 


   

Smart phones are fourth screen technologies that
are making a huge impact in the television industry.

From: https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/
8320/8032182566_788694e8da_b.jpg

 Third and fourth screens are important to television history, but what are third and fourth screens? Third screens are computer screens. Fourth screens are technologies like iPhones, iPads, other smartphones, and mobile devices. With the rise of new technology, people are able to watch movies and television shows in more places than just their homes and movie theaters. Computer screens and smart devices are called third and fourth screens because movies screens are the first screens. Television sets in the home are the second screens. This order of "screens" is based on how we view content. Third and fourth screens are important because they interfere with television viewership and cable consuming. More and more people are watching movies and television shows on third and fourth screen technologies. The first and second screens are still the most popular, but television may see a change in the near future as technology continues to improve with third and fourth screens. 

Hulu started Hulu Plus, a service that streams
hundreds of movies and television shows for $8 a month.
From: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/
commons/thumb/7/76/Hulu_logo.svg/1280px-Hulu_logo.svg.png

     Third and fourth screen technologies have created new online experiences ans services. These services such as Netflix and Hulu Plus have put a dent in television. These services provide their customers with a vast collection of movies and programs (original and television) for a small price each month. These third screen services have become wildly popular recently. People can watch Netflix, Hulu Plus, and similar services on their computers, smartphones, and other smart devices anytime they want. The convenience of these services attracts many people. They can pay a small price each month for popular television shows and movies on their phones, tablets, and even their televisions without having to be tied down to one network provider. Many people have gotten rid of their television provider (Comcast, Direct TV, AT & T) in exchange for a paid subscription service. People can watch entire seasons of television shows in one sitting with these services. 


   

Direct TV is a network provider that still reigns over
third screen sites. 

From: https://upload.wikimedia.org/
wikipedia/commons/a/a9/The_DirecTV_logo.png

 The problem with these services is that they do not provide customers with many popular television shows and movies. Netflix gets rid of many movies and television shows after a certain amount of time, even the most popular movies and shows. Sometimes on Hulu Plus, customers cannot watch certain episodes of television shows without providing account information from their network provider. It is these few drawbacks that causes these sites to be called "catch-up services". "Catch-up services" are services that people use to catch up on missed episodes of their favorite television shows or movies they may have missed. As of late, people have not replaced regular cable TV for these services. But if these services begin to provide the most popular shows and movies, television and movie theaters will have major competition. 

     Third and fourth screen technologies have changed the television industry forever. They have changed where you can watch show and movies and how you watch them. No longer do people have to watch movies in movie theaters or TV shows on their television sets at home. Today, people can watch their favorite TV show wherever: on a bus, in a restaurant, and even in the bathroom. Television sets may be a thing of the past just like landline phones. If we can watch our favorite TV show anywhere with our third and fourth screen devices, why do we need to watch TV programming on a stationary television set?