Speculation about Apple’s highly-hyped “It’s Showtime” marketing event tomorrow is running about as feverish as a third-grade classroom during a chicken pox epidemic.  Everyone agrees that a download distribution deal with Disney will be announced and probably a larger capacity video iPod, but after a rather lackluster performance at the last Apple hoopla a couple of months ago and the lingering stock options smell, Master Jobs badly needs a change of subject.

John Markoff, writing in today’s New York Times (sub. req.) speculates that the big thing might be a new assault on the living room:

In his quest to remake Hollywood distribution in the Internet era, his main challenge is one that has bedeviled the personal computer industry. Today, despite many efforts by Microsoft, Intel and a variety of start-up companies to insinuate the computer into home entertainment, almost all movies watched at home use cable, satellite or DVD players, making it possible for Hollywood to control both piracy and pricing.

Apparently, the market for linked PCs and TVs is out there.  A new study by Parks Associates says there are more 16 million U.S. broadband households harboring strong interest in connected home entertainment.  

According to the report, 39% of broadband households with a data network and 37% of broadband households without a home network consider multimedia networking applications highly valuable.

“Multimedia networking applications, such as sharing media files on a network or streaming content from a PC to one or more entertainment platforms, are key aspects of the connected entertainment experience consumers are demanding,” said Harry Wang, research analyst at Parks Associates.

Can Apple get out front on another new market or is Steve Jobs just your average two-trick pony?  Stay tuned and/or logged in.