Leader: TV's changing channels

But what does the current explosion of user-generated content and web 2.0 excitement mean for your humble television set?

The surge in content found online through user-generated content sites such as YouTube and other web 2.0 favourites is certainly pulling people away from their traditional TV dinner.

But despite this proliferation of new internet-based entertainment, research has indicated just over half of European media consumers have never even used on-demand services.

In addition, Jupiter Research has found the majority of people who do use online on-demand services still spend the majority of their 'media time' using traditional TV.

It seems people prefer the 'sit back' approach to watching TV rather than the 'lean forward' technique required to watch content on a computer.

And TV is fighting back - the rise of on-demand online services being offered by major television broadcasters is going to play an increasingly significant part as well.

This week alone, the BBC announced it had been given the go ahead for its on-demand TV service - iPlayer - while ITV.com has been relaunched with a vastly improved raft of content.

Read all about IT…

Check out the Editor's Blog for the silicon.com chief's take on the hot tech issues of the moment.

The success of Channel 4's 4OD has undoubtedly spurred the two UK telly giants to offer a similar level of service.

TV is at a crossroads, with content accessible and viewed through computers but with the majority of people still sticking with traditional television.

And this is unlikely to change, especially when IPTV – TV via broadband connection – becomes a viable commercial proposition.

When this happens, the recent on-demand online services will become available through your television, so there will no longer be any need to view content on your PC.

More and more people will return to their trusty television and enjoy all the benefits of on-demand and online TV from the comfort of their sofa, preferring to sit back rather than lean forward.