Digital Media is affecting the television industry but pushing for a shift towards online television series. However, some television stations such as CBS thrive on it sales overseas. These sales account for most of the revenue that the channel thrives on. Licensing deals from cable companies such as Comcast and Verizon Fios help as well. Plus, many shows such as the X-Files or Fringe are paid for by Netflix to stream on their service. Some of the content that Netflix offers would not exist without their first being cable television stations.
The future of television for now at least will be the same way it is now in my opinion. Television channels thrive on advertisement. Whereas Netflix thrives on its subscribers. With their being a need for advertisement, it is doubtful that cable television is going anywhere. However, Marc Andreessen, a capitalist, says "TV in ten years is going to be one hundred per cent streamed. On demand. Internet Protocol. Based on computers and based on software.” He feels television will not exist anymore from a box but rather be streamed.
There is a real possibility that the world could leans toward this some day. However, with there being a constant need for advertising. I doubt that a sudden change such as this will happen any time soon.
