Service Providers Being Repositioned As Media Companies

The popularity of online video consumption is forcing service providers to reposition as media companies with new offerings such as TV Everywhere, according to this report, Online Video and Broadband Provider Strategies.

The number of U.S. broadband households watching premium online content doubled in the last year. Over 25 million U.S. broadband households regularly watch full-length TV shows online, and over 20 million watch movies online.

Connected CE devices are affecting the competitive ecosystem of the television industry, and while the current number of cord cutters isn’t substantial, service providers are concerned about these developments. Pay-TV providers are working to head off a possible shift that might devalue their services by offering TV Everywhere. These services supplement their traditional offerings, which might not dissuade anyone determined to cut the cord, but providers could use them as models for future business strategies.

Online Video and Service Provider Strategies also reports that consumers have yet to establish strong preferences on whether they get video and other value-added services from broadband service providers or over-the-top providers such as Hulu. Service providers can leverage this consumer neutrality and reposition themselves as media companies.

Consumer viewing of movies and TV shows online doubles in 2009

The number of U.S. broadband households watching premium online content, including movies and TV shows via the Internet, doubled in the last year, according to Broadband, Communications, and Entertainment Bundles, a new study from Parks Associates. Currently over 25 million U.S. broadband households regularly watch full-length TV shows online, while over 20 million watch movies online.

The international research firm reports that the growing popularity of online portals such as Hulu.com shows rapid growth in the number of viewers who use the Internet to watch long-tail and premium content. This shift highlights the opportunity for service providers to extend their current pay-TV and video-on-demand services to include online and mobile video features. In fact, providers will have to embrace online video services, including the ability to deliver content across multiple platforms, if they are to remain competitive and attract new subscribers.

Consumer interest in time-shifting content through online portals has increased significantly. Close to 40% of broadband households today watch full-length television shows over the Internet. Enabling access to content anytime through any broadband-enabled device will be a significant challenge for the service providers. However, broadband video opens new revenue channels and opportunities to upgrade subscribers into higher tiers of services.

For the full press release, click here.

Parks Associates Supports TelcoTV 2009

Parks Associates is a media sponsor for TelcoTV 2009, from November 10-12 2009 in Orlando, FL.

Jayant Dasari, Research Analyst, Parks Associates will be moderating the session, "Taming the Streaming Monster" on Thursday, November 12 from 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM.

Visit Parks Associates at Booth # 239 in North Hall B.

TelcoTV 2009 is the telecom industry’s premier event for the exploration of a comprehensive entertainment convergence strategy. Like no other event, TelcoTV brings together service providers of all sizes, with a common interest in transforming their organizations into entertainment powerhouses. The TelcoTV exhibit hall is packed with hundreds of vendors showcasing technical solutions and cutting-edge content to help telcos compete against cable and satellite.

For more information please click here.

Annual set-top shipments worldwide to exceed 200 million by 2013 as service providers seek competitive edge

Demand for high-definition content, time-shifting, and interactive applications will drive growth in the set-top market

The demand for interactive and personalized television services will push annual worldwide set-top box shipments over 200 million by 2013, as providers overhaul their current base with next-generation models.

The research firm’s latest report Set-Top Boxes: Outlook says the global digital transition and new distribution channels like DTT, IPTV, and over-the-top video services will intensify competition in the television service market. Carriers and manufacturers looking for a competitive advantage will replace their current installed base of set-tops with advanced models capable of supporting applications such as time- and place-shifting and Internet-based offerings.

Consumers are attracted to the concept of connected CE, with one-third of U.S. broadband households very interested in a set-top box that connects to their PC and Internet service as well as their TV. While less than ten percent are willing to pay a monthly fee, demand is still on an upward trend, especially as the set-top connects to more and more services.

Growing demand is good news for service providers, especially cable and telco/IPTV operators, who are leveraging the set-top box platform to support their multiplay strategies. With the box connected to a variety of sources, it will expand the battle in the television services market to the entire digital home, affecting every service sector from energy management and security to voice and video.

For the full press release, click here.

Parks Associates hosts special lunch session at The Cable Show, April 2

Parks Associates is supporting the Cable Show '09 from April 1-3, 2009 in Washington D.C.

Parks Associates Research Analyst, Jayant Dasari will be moderating a special lunch session Engaging the Consumer: Opportunities and Challenges in the Evolution of Television on April 2nd from 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM.

This special lunch session, sponsored by Macrovision, discusses the challenges for operators as they develop and deploy innovative services and business models. In addition, the participants will address the impact of open standards such as tru2way, both in the short term on operators’ ability to develop interactive applications and their long-term influence on the evolution of the TV viewing experience.

Confirmed speakers include:

>> Bob Benya, Senior VP, Video Product Strategy, Time Warner Cable
>> Richard Bullwinkle, Chief Evangelist, Macrovision
>> David Grubb, VP Business Development, Motorola
>> Jeff Bonin, Vice President & GM, Alticast
>> Steve Necessary, VP Video Strategy, Cox Communications

For more information about this special lunch session, click here.
Request invitation by clicking here.

The Cable Show '09 is the built-for-business event that brings together leaders spanning the wide-ranging telecommunications, digital media and television sectors. Whether you've got a cool WiMAX app, a smart idea for a VOD channel or a better way to manage IP bandwidth, the people you'll do business with are at The Cable Show. Join over 12,000 cable professionals on April 1-3, 2009 in Washington, DC for unparalleled opportunities.

Visit thecableshow.com for more information.

Parks Associates adds value to TelcoTV with research workshop

Parks Associates will be hosting the workshop Business Cases for Emerging Video Services at TelcoTV 2008 on November 11. TelcoTV, November 11-13, the Anaheim Convention Center, is the premier event for the exploration of a comprehensive entertainment convergence strategy.

The workshop addresses the business case for emerging video services, including multichannel television and broadband video. Parks Associates forecasts that by 2012, almost 33 million U.S. households will have broadband services capable of streaming high-definition video. This finding adds new dimensions to the television services market, which grew to over 800 million households worldwide in 2007. Telco/IPTV services in particular jumped to more than 13 million households in 2007.

Presenters:
Jayant Dasari, Parks Associates
Kurt Scherf, Parks Associates

Sessions:
Building a Compelling Television Service
Broadband Video: To the TV and Beyond
How the Internet Meets the Television
The Business Case for Advanced Advertising Features
Building the Interactive Advertising Business Case

Speakers:
Nimrod Ben-Natan, Harmonic
Steve Borelli, Integra5
Jonathan Bokor, TANDBERG Television
Matt Cannard, Widevine Technologies
Brian Donnelly, Icron Technologies
Jason Harvey, ActiveVideo Networks
Leszek Izdebski, Cisco Systems
Howard Rubin, SeaChange International
Paula Suthern, Ensequence
Adam Tom, RGB Networks

Attendees receive information about the competitive environment for television services, insight into video trends and advertising business models, and consumer data on use cases and preferences.

During TelcoTV, Kurt Scherf is moderating the session Integrating the Social Network Experience: Fad or reality? on Wednesday, November 12, from 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Parks Associates workshop addresses new business opportunities for service providers, silicon and software vendors, and manufacturers

Parks Associates will host a research workshop featuring key members of its analyst team on Thursday, September 18, at the San Jose Fairmont. The Business Cases for New Media will focus on the impact of advanced connectivity on business strategies for service and content providers, CE and hardware manufacturers, and software developers.

The workshop features Parks Associates’ Kurt Scherf, Vice President, Principal Analyst; Yuanzhe (Michael) Cai, Director, Director, Digital Media and Gaming; and Jayant Dasari, Research Analyst.

Nearly 170 million households worldwide will have a data network in 2008, creating the foundation for new media, entertainment, and communications applications.

The workshop will address the features of next-generation TV services critical in establishing differentiation, creating stickier services, and building revenue. Additional workshop sessions will focus on the consumer decision process when purchasing new products, the market potential for electronic gaming applications, and consumer habits when interacting with digital media, including music, photos, and video.

The workshop will also focus on new advertising opportunities, including forecasts and an overview of the shift in spending from TV to online sources.

The full press release is available here: http://newsroom.parksassociates.com