I think it is pretty obvious that CDs are soon going to be all but replaced by downloadable digital content, and it’s only a matter of time before the format war in this space is settled. Digital downloads are too disruptive to the traditional media marketplace for them not to be placed on top. Physical CD sales are at a significant decline, and iTunes is booming. Even Amazon’s Kindle is disruptive to the book publishing industry, at least when it comes to the segments that deal with distribution and manufacturing. The way that media is manufactured and distributed has changed. We’re already there.

One thing that might not be so obvious though is that even the way that traditional ‘over the air’ content (radio and television) is distributed is changing dramatically. Let me explain.

This morning on my way into the office, I grabbed my keys, iPhone, headphones, and laptop bag. I got into my car, plugged my headphones into my iPhone, and pulled up Pandora… an application that I can give information about an artist or song that I like, and it will go and find that artist, play it, and then find other artists similar to them that I might like. I listened to music that I liked, voted off songs / artists that I didn’t like, all in CD quality… all over ATT’s 3G network… all free, or at least included within my data plan for my cellphone service. I never touched the radio in my car. Occasionally I’ll download podcasts to my iPhone and listen to those. Anything but the radio.

Here is why… Pandora is completely on demand, it gives me the ability to interact, and I’m not forced to listen to a song that I don’t like just because I like the genre. My ’stations’ are tailored to what I like… not tailored to the lowest common denominator like radio is. At least for now, Pandora is not so interruptive with commercials that I can’t get into a groove with what I’m listening to. Let’s hope they keep it that way.

Later in the afternoon, I hopped onto my laptop and went to FavTape (www.favtape.com). I wanted to hear Van Halen’s song “Jump” from 1984. A simple search brought me right to the song, free and on demand. A click on http://Favtape.com/top/1984 really brought me back to my childhood.

Most of my day consists of researching online. Much of the information I need for my job can be found with a simple google search and a little bit of patience and time. A lot less patience and time than it takes to go to the bookstore or library and sift through a book. Most of the books I would buy are also available for download. The traditional paper media books I buy are more trophies than anything else.

Tonight, rather than turn on the TV… I will most likely see what’s on Hulu, (www.hulu.com), or maybe I’ll watch a movie on Netflix (www.netflix.com), or catch up with episodes of ‘Fringe’ on Fox’s website: (www.fox.com/fringe). It has been over a year since I have been to a video store.

Nowhere during my day have I turned on a TV, listened to a CD, or watched a DVD. The only reason I read a book at all is because my wife does not appreciate it when I bring the laptop into the bathroom with me.

This has basically become my pattern over the last 6 months or more, particularly since I got my iPhone, which has completely disrupted the way I do things (which is a good thing!). When I talk with other friends of mine, I’m seeing the same sorts of patterns emerge… where they are slowly migrating away from traditional forms of media and replacing them with online services, customizing them to their schedule and needs.