>>But it doesn't force them to watch it at the same time.
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>Let me guess, you are not an avid TV watcher nor loyal to any particular programs?
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>Yet you're opining about how loyal viewers will change their opinion.

Just guessing, because I once was, and still would be if any of the long SF serials (Star*, mostly) with long arc storyline would be on the channels I have.

>If American Idol uploaded (or more likely streamed) a new episode every other day at 9pm, I can guarantee you a few million people will be watching the same stream.
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>The loyal viewers are like addicts.

They are - and if it was streamed, I guess you'd be right, but maybe by half. Some addicts would just intentionally delay the pleasure, some would get into logistic trouble (getting the company so they don't watch it alone etc), so they'd probably watch it ASAP, but not necessarily at the time the original streams. It would be interesting to see the stats - finally. Because on TV, there were none, really.

>Your point about schedules is a good one, and I agree.
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>But don't doubt for a second some sort of "order" for such a schedule will emerge from the chaos. That's just something we do naturally.

Back to McLuhan - the new medium is initially filled with content from its predecessor(s). First movies were a lot like recorded theater plays, with camera somewhere above the 1st row. Music on the radio was often imitating the concerts (compare the MC's style) until the invention of DJs. Emails were trying to imitate the style of letters for the first few years.

So I do expect that a lot of habits will be carried over. Some will stay, some will be replaced with new ones, and some of the new ones will replace nothing - they'll be habits in the heretofore uncharted land.