Golden age for Netflix, Amazon

The 72nd Golden Globe Awards may be a month away, but the winners and losers have already been selected.

Winners: Amazon and Netflix. Losers: Cable companies.

The fact that two online streaming services have received such resounding acclaim should put an end to any argument that the networks and cable have the market cornered on the art of acting, writing and directing.

Once just a way to access network shows on-demand, streaming services can now produce award-winning content themselves. An unintended consequence: television sales could dip in favor of tablets and smartphones because, let's face it, you no longer need a TV to watch good TV.

Though Netflix has competed at the Emmys and Golden Globes before, the nod for Amazon's breakout hit "Transparent" as best comedy TV series means that the creative success of Netflix — with seven nominations this year — isn't a fluke. It paves the way for the Hollywood elite to look toward Sony's new PlayStation TV, Microsoft Xbox, Roku and more as legitimate and promising places to lend their talents. Web series — like the Boston-set drama "Beacon Hill" — could also see a rise in interest both with viewers and Hollywood itself.

Such a scenario would act as a shot across the bow of overpriced and customer service-challenged cable providers. I wouldn't be surprised if, by this time next year, some top television shows are shopping themselves to those services as opposed to the networks that cable companies are currently holding hostage.

Of course, the awards also set up a serious faceoff between the two streaming titans-turned-TV-newbies. The seven nominations for Netflix original series shows "House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black" and "Derek" did not come as a surprise.

Amazon's nod for the hilarious show "Transparent," starring best actor in a comedy nominee Jeffrey Tambor, was more of a surprise. But to its huge credit, Amazon aggressively pursued the honor.

There's no doubt that Amazon's roster of 50 million subscribers to its Prime service will rise as a result, more so if Tambor wins. But there's plenty of room for streaming service competition and plenty of untapped market share to be had.

Rather than a monthly cable subscription, increasing numbers of consumers are paying for an a la carte menu of streaming services that allows them to view their own shows and still pay less than a monthly cable bill would cost.

One thing's for sure: Networks and cable companies will care about the 2015 Golden Globes for the first time in a long time.

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