Amid all the talk of the “convergence” of media, like television and the internet, this has to be one of the best examples yet. Despite much handwringing and navel gazing, it must happen.

Just today, the Wall Street Journal announced on page one that Comcast (TV) is building its own mini internet — a “TV version of the internet, stocked with movies, archived television programs and other interactive features, including a search function.”

Yes, it’s television, but it feels more like an internet.

What’s more, the largest cable provider is now in talks with Google to buy a $5 billion stake in AOL.

Just more ammo to try and fight off the internet players that will allow you to download everything from movies to college football not available by satellite to $2 video iPod downloads of Desperate Housewives.

In the end, it’s going to be great for consumers, or really, those who have time to sit around watching TV. And of course it will be great for those businessses that figure out how to take advantage of the new technologies faster.

For this example, visit www.buycostumes.com. This is a very nice e-commerce site that sells Halloween costumes.

But no big deal.

Now go visit www.buycostumes.tv. It also sells Halloween costumes. But this one I’m calling a big deal.

It streams a 24-hour video just like the Home Shopping Network or QVC. Except it’s online.

And except that people can watch it all over the world.

And except that you can see all the products that aren’t on right now, and you can click to buy any of them right now.

Fifty percent of online shoppers already have broadband, either at work or at home. In 2010, it’s doubtful that any e-commerce site won’t have audio or video product demonstrations, testimonials, or video product pitches.

I think this site works. The idea of QVC online is a virtual nobrainer. And this site is “only about Halloween costumes” in the same way that eBay is was just about Pez dispensers.

I plan to keep watching this site — and the ideas for any e-commerce site are obvious.

In my book, Creating Customers Out of Thin Air: Secrets of Online Marketing for Offline Businesses, I wrote that the internet was invented 1844 — by Samuel Morse. Because that was the first time that humans could send information electronically. Ever since, the only difference is that bandwidth has gotten better.

(By the way, if you don’t have a copy of my book, you can get it free here.

And like the telephone’s improvement over the telegraph, broadband internet’s improvement over the telephone (and television) is as profound. Indeed the “internet QVC” is a big improvent over the original QVC on two counts: the audience is 100% worldwide, and it’s interactive.

Specifically, the difference between the internet and the telephone is the essence of interactive marketing, viz., a two-way conversation independent of time and place. And the consumer controls the time and place of the conversation.

Online, the viewer can choose the exact product they want to see, when they want it see it — and if they’re not enamored with your offer, they’re gone with the click of a mouse.

By the same token, those businesses that can create a better interactive experience, a better two-way conversation will be the ones that thrive.

Businesses that plan to be around in twenty years should be thinking about this a lot.

Your thoughts?