2006 To See On-Demand Technology Growth
2006 looks set to be the year of video on-demand, with market analysts pointing towards a deluge of new delivery technologies to make personalised, interactive video content a reality.
Next year’s International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will debut a raft of new products, say market analyst Parks Associates, with video services “a significant area of growth”.
“At 2006 International CES, people should definitely look for solutions that enable new and unique on-demand content services,” said Harry Wang, analyst at Parks Associates. “The technologies that fulfill the service requirements for the new standards in interactivity will see a lot of success in 2006.”
Services such as the BBC’s integrated Media Player (iMP) are expected to reach maturity next year, with the technology currently in the trial phase, having been extended by two months to allow more data collection (see BBC Extends On-Demand Access Trial).
Meanwhile, IPTV services providing video via broadband are likely to evolve quickly. Companies such as BT and BSkyB are already developing such services for the UK (see BT Signs First Content Deals For IPTV Service), while VideoNetworks’ HomeChoice has operated an IPTV network for several years in and around London (see HomeChoice Boosts TV Line-Up With Sci Fi Channel).
“Some major service providers will unveil IPTV services in 2006,” said John Barrett, director of research for Parks Associates. “IPTV providers will further intensify competition in the TV market by introducing more flexible service models that combine choice and convenience.”
Parks Associates’ predictions echo those of Ed Richards, Ofcom’s senior partner for strategy and market development, made earlier this year. Speaking at the first Ofcom Annual Lecture to the Westminster Media Forum, Richards laid out his vision of the UK’s future media landscape, highlighting the fast development of digital technology and predicting a boom in on-demand services (see Ofcom Strategy Chief Predicts An On-Demand Future).
Parks Associates: www.parksassociates.com