The merger of the computer and television was something that was just waiting to happen. Let us take a computer and remove all productivity related programs. What is left is an operating system, a web browser and a media player that is use to watch movies and listen to audio on the computer.
A completely entertainment related the computer is only going to focus on these aspects. Now, if you are going to remove the operating system and replace it with a standard firmware used in television, you would have nothing but a miniaturist version of the television with a hard disk. Experts quickly realize that there was very little to differentiate in entertainment based personal computer and a television.
With facilities like Netflix available in the market, combining internet with television would mean that entertainment requirements of individuals would be satisfied very quickly. Add a compact hard disk to the equation and you will have the perfect combination of internet and computer.
The issue of addition of hard disk can be solved by offering USB ports which will then be used to connect external hard disks to the television cum computer. However, as developments took place, people realized that the combination of computer and television was far too cumbersome to succeed.
On the other hand, the internet enabled television was a good enough because it helped individuals browse the web whenever they wanted without going through a web browser. Once social networking web sites and mail web sites were accessible on the television, many individuals found it easy to completely avoid the computer and work through the television only.