Techcrunch, a popular technology blog, is calling TV dead, suggesting that it’s just a matter of time until the Internet takes over:

The writing is on the wall. Sure, YouTube and CBS partnered up to declare that CBS clips on Youtube actually increased overall tv ratings, but that is almost certainly hogwash. It’s a good diversionary tactic for YouTube as they continue to grow and the networks stand around with a funny, confused look on their face. But at the end of the day, people want to consume content without the friction of having to sit down in front of a television at an appointed time. That friction doesn’t disappear just because a show clip is up on YouTube. People want to see the whole show on YouTube.

There is a fundamental shift in consumer behavior going on - and the question is no longer if, but rather when, more television consumption will occur via the Internet than traditional broadcast and cable television.

The key tipping point will be when a startup is able to distribute proper television content over the Internet legally. People will begin to abandon their cable tv subscriptions in favor of Internet distribution. MobiTV is in the best current position to do this - they have a ton of cash and are only a few deals away from being able to offer the equivalent of a cable television subscription over the Internet. And The Venice Project may also win. iTunes will continue to pursue their pay per show model, and that will also take market share.

While we agree that Internet video will inevitably overtake broadcast television, it’s premature to be planning TV’s funeral. Established broadcast networks are already adapting to the Internet video revolution and will be forced to innovate to make television more relevant.

Also, one has to keep in mind that the people moving from TV to Internet video are first adopters, whose behavior isn’t always mirrored when technologies gain wider adoption.

TV is going to have to reinvent itself in the next ten years, as on-demand delivery becomes the dominant way people enjoy video.