In the future of television, the set-top box is king - Quartz

The future of TV devices and services is loosely-coupled, with interesting implications for Comcast, Verizon, and other TV service providers

"Set-top boxes from the likes of Apple, Microsoft, Roku, and Boxee are the modular solution to this problem. Each has its own limitations, but they are low-priced (so it doesn’t cost so much to stay ahead of the curve), easy to use (so you might actually use them), and can easily be swapped in and out (so you can move the box from one display to the next based on your changing needs).
The point is that living-room entertainment in developed economies is reshaping so quickly—and expanding well beyond the living room—that it’s a mistake for consumers to get their streaming media from large electronics that cost $1,000 and more when they can get a broader and better experience from small devices priced to be dispensable. Roku’s latest offering is $99 and the size of a thumb drive."

In the future of television, the set-top box is king - Quartz