The distinction between linear broadcasting (what one sees on the television) and digital broadcasting (content from internet sites) is becoming increasingly important, particularly when we consider the preferences of different age groups.  Older folk tend to use linear broadcasting, while younger folk are 'tuned in' to digital broadcasting (increasingly in the context of social media).

This demographic difference has been recognised by the ABC, and is one of the motivations for its recent Five-Year Plan (refer to post on July 4).  This is also discussed in a recent post, The ABC's Demographic Cliff, and motivated a recent article, How can the ABC engage younger audiences?

This is an important issue, not just for the ABC to meet its Charter obligations as a public broadcaster which is relevant to all Australians, but in terms of the bigger issue of how information should best be distributed to a hopefully well-informed society.