MRG is announcing a new installment of its IPTV Tracking Service series, IPTV Content Strategies - May 2005. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of IPTV (IP TV) content deployment strategies in four major global markets. It reveals how international and local content developers, aggregators, and consultants are assisting IPTV service providers in the design and deployment of linear video, video-on-demand (VOD), and interactive services. "IPTV services cannot simply mimic cable or satellite to be successful," states Bob Larribeau, MRG Senior Analyst. "Service providers have to offer different and better choices to succeed against cable or satellite." On the way out is "forced buy-through," which requires consumers to subscribe up to 80 "basic" channels before accessing premium channels; and on the way in is "personalization," where consumers have direct choice over large groupings of linear and VOD channels, rather than paying for scores of channels they don't use. The report gives examples of how IPTV providers are innovating in two critical areas-better choice (without forced buy-through) and better interactive experiences.
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...