Today, Fox News had a story about the growing interest of Americans who are now taking to their gardens

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to produce their own tobacco versus paying ever-increasing taxes on cigarettes.  Most who were interviewed say they’re going to challenge their green thumbs to offset the effects of the recession and the $1.60+ tax hike smokers have seen this year alone.  In another story, Time Warner sealed its deal with YouTube that will allow the video site to host movies and television shows owned by the media conglomerate.  Although Phillip Morris USA may not have much to worry about with the sudden interest in home gardeners, satellite providers such as DirecTV and Dish Network may not be so lucky.

With Netflix releasing its “On Demand” feature earlier this year, millions suddenly had instant access to thousands of television shows, movies from every decade and even talk shows.  It’s not even necessary to wait for the arrival of the DVDs - browse through the vast library and click “Play”, and suddenly, you’re watch Cary Grant and Jeanne Crain in “People Will Talk”.  The major money makers that are still churning profits for the networks are available too: Law & Order, CSI - you name it, odds are, you can watch it whenever you want.  Oh, and did I mention you can do this for less than $10 a month?  Of course, there are those shows that are available on television that haven’t been released for online viewing, but Time Warner’s announcement might close that gap. 

Other online avenues, such as Fancast, Hulu and Joost are reporting thousands of new fans each month - and their sites are absolutely free.  You can watch every season of “The Hills”, “House” and other favorites.  Every season of the classic “Alfred Hitchcock Hour” from the 1960s is available too.

So what does this mean for the two major satellite companies who seem to raise their rates each time you open the new month’s statement?  Is it possible to tax online television or is too late?  And what about the big lawsuits from several years ago when the music industry was in an uproar over stolen music that was downloaded millions of times?   Does this mean more changes are in store for this sector of the entertainment industry and its online presence?  iTunes already offers television shows through its site.

Clearly, in these ever-evolving online lives we lead,  it appears we’ll be spending even more time in front of our monitors watching our favorite shows minus the $100+ satellite bills and smoking cigarettes that were grown in our own backyards for pennies of what we would’ve paid at the corner store.