Final answer:
A catch-up service allows viewers to watch TV episodes after they have aired. Such on-demand viewing is facilitated by services like Netflix and has evolved to include newer programming, contributing to the transformative digitization of home entertainment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A catch-up service typically lets you watch episodes after they air on TV. Such services have become more prevalent with the advent of cable, satellite, and Internet subscription services like Netflix, enabling viewers to watch content on demand, without being restricted to a broadcasting schedule. Originally, on-demand content was largely limited to older programming without commercials, but many networks now permit their latest shows to be streamed shortly after the original broadcast, often including unavoidable commercials to bolster advertising revenues.
These developments reflect a broader trend in the digitization of home entertainment, with VCRs and DVDs being gradually supplanted by streaming platforms and digital services. While DVDs remain a common format for movie playback in homes, they are being overtaken by high-definition alternatives such as Blu-Ray, and more significantly, by streaming services offering instant access to a wide variety of films and TV shows. The influence of digital technology, epitomized by platforms like social media and Netflix, has disrupted traditional video rental models, offering consumers convenience and immediate accessibility to content.