IPTV Emerging As Contender In 21st Century Television

IPTV – “Internet Protocol Television” – is the wave of television’s future, according to a new study released by ABI Research.

ABI has tracked trends that it says threaten to topple cable and satellite TV as kings of the airwaves.

Their study shows that over the next six years, IPTV is expected to grow by about 32 percent each year.

This will bring the total number of people enjoying “bi-directional” TV to 79 million subscribers around the world by 2014.

This is not to say that the end is near for the traditional cable and satellite TV formats.

In many countries, their grip remains strong, and it’s likely to remain so for a long time.

However, ABI says that in most developed countries, IPTV will continue its trend of cutting into the cable / satellite viewership numbers.

Cable and satellite companies are responding by trying to branch out in new areas, offering Internet and telephone services to complement their TV service.

Still, IPTV has its own hurdles to clear.

According to Screen Digest, there are several markets where it seems difficult, if not impossible, for IPTV to ever truly make a profit.

Some telecom companies, they note, are offering pay TV, not because they feel it will be profitable, but to make them more competitive with other services.

Screen Digest recently voiced their opinion that IPTV might need to adopt some more traditional strategies, borrowing a cue from traditional TV, by doing things such as bidding on major sports events. (read more about that story here)