IPTV popularity increasing in UK
A recent study shows that IPTV - TV over the Internet - is a growing trend in the UK.
5.4% of the UK population have watched some form of IPTV: 3.6% have watched live Internet TV whilst 3.3% have watched downloaded content.
Almost one-third of those who download programmes do so at least once a week. 25% expect to be watching more streamed live content over the next year.
Unsurprisingly at present, the typical viewer is male, aged 16-34 - twice as many men to women watch TV this way.
James Myring, associate director at Continental Research, said he would expect the pattern of rapid growth around IPTV to continue.
He said: "Given the popularity of downloading first music and now films via the internet, there is every reason to predict that downloading TV will grow rapidly in importance."
It is anticipated that sport-related programming will be a major growth area, particularly in the US but with an international audience in mind.
In the UK, one of the first broadcasters to offer live web streaming of its programmes is the games and quiz channel, ITV Play. Content is now available on both Freeview and via the itv.com website.
Once broadband connections are fully integrated into the living room - probably through triple-play services - I expect IPTV to really take off, offering consumers a myriad of content choice and interactivity.
Internet TV and IPTV are distinct forms of IP video. IPTV is delivered to the home television set via a set-top box connected to an IP network. While the confusion is rampant in the consumer press ask the vast majority of industry insiders and they can explain the difference.
Posted by: nolerabid | May 17, 2006 8:46 PM