Netflix or Heinz Ketchup?

[Commentary] I have a hunch that Netflix's faith in binge television underappreciates the joy that can be derived from expectation. Television is the original social network. Consumers love great television, but they also love talking about television. Sharing with friends the thrill of the last episode, debating what will happen next, working to enlist friends to watch the same shows that you love. Giving consumers the choice of having it all in one big bite means different viewers are in many different places in the book, making it hard to discuss without spoiling the plot. The intervals between first-run programming provide a space for communion and that tantalizing sense of anticipation. "I can't wait for the next show to start" may not actually be a consumer complaint as much as an expression of the emotion that anticipation brings. Only time will tell. It's great to have Netflix add its support to original programming, but it's perilous to think this initial foray mean the death of icons like HBO (Game of Thrones), Showtime (Homeland), AMC (Breaking Bad and Mad Men). Making high quality programming is both hard and expensive. These brands have been in the business a long time. They have the experience, the writers, the talent pool, director relationships and budgets to continuously turn out great stories and get them distributed.

[Powell is CEO of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association]