R.E.: Web television (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (36k)(C) into Streaming television (edit | talk | history | protect | delete | links | watch | logs | views) (33k)(C)

I propose to merge Web television into Streaming television, following the guidance outlined on WP:MERGEINIT. In 2009, there was a similar merge, also posted on the Steaming Television page but there was no consensus for a merger. However, a 2010 comment said that term "peaked in 2008." In 2016, there was another discussion calling for a merger, but the discussion ended in 2018, with a merger never implemented. Recently, I began a discussion about this on WikiProject Television, but that discussion ended without any resolution and only a few users contributed. Due to the importance of this subject and the fact that the terms web television and streaming television are used here and there on pages, I would say this issue is definitely an important one that merits discussion. Please indicate whether you support or oppose this proposal. Thanks. @Bilorv, Pyxis Solitary, AdamBMorgan, Bradybd, SqueakBox, Kbrose, Billbowery, Patsw, Bob bobato, EnOreg, Weeb Dingle, Editor B, C. A. Russell, Mojoworker, and Careless hx: since you were all part of previous discussions on this page and/or on the WikiProject. --Historyday01 (talk) 14:36, 13 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I think, such a merge, and a thorough refactoring, appears reasonable. The medium 'web television' certainly has evolved over the decade, as has the technology of 'streaming television', and the overlap is probably considerable, and commercial marketing has not made a distinction any easier, rather the opposite. kbrose (talk) 15:25, 13 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

That was my thought too! I just wanted to bring in some more perspectives here. I know on the WikiProject Television there was talk of how some of the content from the main page could be moved to the Web series page, but I don't think I can do a merger of more than one page at a time, so, I'll see if this merger is approved, then move on with the web series page from there. --Historyday01 (talk) 15:32, 13 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Web television is described as "original episodic online video content produced for broadcast on the Internet via the World Wide Web. The phrase "web television" also sometimes refers to streaming television in general, which includes Internet transmission of programs produced for both online and traditional terrestrial, cable, or satellite broadcast."
Streaming television is described as "the digital distribution of television content, such as TV shows, as streaming media delivered over the Internet".
The difference with the Streaming television article is that it goes into technology, digital rights management, Internet protocol, quality, competitors, rights, profits and costs, and platforms. The Web television article is more of a historical narrative, without much details of the nuts and bolts of the technology. I don't disagree that the two can be merged -- but it has to be done carefully, without sacrificing one over the other. Pyxis Solitary (yak). L not Q. 10:45, 14 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

I agree it should definitely be done carefully, for sure, and also would say that some of the stuff on the main page should be moved to the web series page. But, I can't do a three way merger, as that would be too confusing, so I decided to stick with these two pages first. Historyday01 (talk) 14:30, 14 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Absolutely in support of this as a good first step. — Bilorv (talk) 02:09, 15 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Great! I think its a good first step too. Historyday01 (talk) 03:35, 15 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed, this makes sense. Billbowery (talk) 23:42, 17 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Glad you agree. I think I'll keep this open at least a month in hopes of getting some more comments. Historyday01 (talk) 21:36, 18 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

• Support I think the general public considers and uses these terms interchangeably. A careful merger that attends to the nuances of different meanings and different extant content would be useful.-TonyTheTiger (T / C / WP:FOUR / WP:CHICAGO / WP:WAWARD) 13:03, 19 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Agreed. When the pages are merged it should definitely be done carefully, keeping in mind the different meanings and definitions.Historyday01 (talk) 13:50, 19 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

• Agree These have become virtually synonymous, and as such now fall close to CFork territory. Most of the Web series article could fit into an expanded "Background" or "History" section in a "Streaming" article, much like we do with company merger article histories. GenQuest ^"scribble" 21:47, 27 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

Exactly. That's why this merger is so important. --Historyday01 (talk) 22:15, 27 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]

• Support Same difference. ;) ~ HAL333 19:04, 28 February 2021 (UTC)[reply]
• Support merge. I don't care which title is used. Merge the lesser-developed page into the better-developed one, and use a final title that comports with WP:COMMONNAME policy. The distinction between shows that originated on streaming platforms and those that originated in traditional broadcast/cable television basically no longer exists, as a) shows dropped by the latter are often continued by the former (there might even be cases going the other direction), and b) the major "traditional" TV farms are increasingly creating their own streaming services and/or ensuring their shows are carried by the existing ones. What's happened here is a confusion of "medium" in the sense of type of content (TV, film, comic book, novel, game), versus "medium" in the sense of transport mechanism. Finally, to the extent that we might need an article on independent Web-based "television" shows (created by random people, not by major TV studios or by major streaming services, which are increasingly merging anyway), that is probably a separate article. However, we would need to establish that it is in fact notable as a topic. Various actual shows are notable and we have articles on them, but it doesn't necessarily follow that the combination of independent development + streaming distribution is, in and of itself, an encyclopedia topic. If it is, see Indie game for how to go about it. That's a fairly parallel topic, since virtually all indie games (since the late 1990s, anyway) have been distributed online and without physical install media (which would be analogous to DVDs, etc., when it comes to video content).  — SMcCandlish ☏ ¢ 😼  15:37, 5 March 2021 (UTC)[reply]

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