Most of today’s Net Generation exhibit preference for the Internet over TV. In a recent study, results show that 63% of people surveyed would rather give up television than to lose their access to the internet. In an era where the web is saturated with streaming videos, media clips, and all forms of entertainment, it’s no surprise that the traditional tube is gradually becoming less relevant in our daily lives. To put things in perspective, the average adult spends 32.7 hours/week online versus only half as much time (16.2 hours/week) watching TV.

Samsung™ has officially announced the addition of Twitter to its line of Internet@TV services. This will enable early adopters to receive updates from fellow twitters in the form of an expandable widget, all the while watching favourite shows from the comfort of their own sofas. The television set is often thought of as a modem for one way broadcast, Twitter @TV breaks that mould. By allowing viewers to interact with other viewers through their television sets ultimately bridges the gap between cable and the web, in turn linking two devices (TV and Computer) into one.

Think of the possibilities…. Minute by minute peer commentaries during the Superbowl, immediate responses to breaking news, direct spoilers for the season finale of your favourite show, instant audience feedback during commercials, synchronized movie experiences, and much more…

This may well be a starting point for a complete collaborative experience as viewers will likely engage in a more active form of media consumption via microblogging. Social networks will emerge as individuals will be connected through common interests and will have a chance to discuss similar media outputs. Families will be able to share experiences regardless of geographic barriers, not to mention cost savings through this practical means of communication. Most importantly, this application will yield a wealth of information to marketers across a range of industries. With proper analytics, companies can assess the effectiveness of their ads while studios can test the popularity of various shows and movie makers gauge the potential of upcoming releases, instantly. As a result, there is potential for a new breed of prosumers and brand evangelists alike; drawing in more talent from outside the corporation.

However, the future is not entirely rosy… Filtering the useful ideas from the “noise” and then building on those valuable insights takes a combination of factors (see diagram below). Only then will it change the landscape of collaboration beyond a continuous feed of status updates.

One thing is for sure; Twitter @TV will add new meaning to a “couch potato”. Awesome or Annoying? Your call.