Over-the-air broadcasting is no longer the only option available when it comes to watching TV. With smart phones, tablets, streaming decoders and now dongles, viewers have multiple ways to access programs. Ten million Chromecast dongles were sold last year and the device was used to generate more than 1 billion clicks in February, 2014. Advertisers will increasingly target ads to match both the device and viewer.
Satellite Interference has long been an issue of concern for broadcasters, so in the late 90s a committee was formed to lobby the satellite operators to resolve this problem. The satellite operators listened to our concerns and began a global campaign to resolve this complex challenge. The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) was founded as their platform for change.
The word “Metadata” was introduced into the broadcast industry and instantly became a technological pariah. The mere mention of the word brings dread and groans. Yet, Metadata is one of the most critical elements in media management, handling, movement, control, rights and monetization.
The BBC, Sky and ITV are to employ IP delivery for elements of live UK general election coverage on May 7 and May 8. The technology is in early stages of development and not quite robust or flexible enough to ditch outside broadcast trucks yet. But in 2020 - time of the next general election perhaps all 650 parliamentary seats can be streamed live online using the more economic remote production method.
There are many options when it comes to selecting new technological solutions. But not all of the new technology changes will move you forward. Remember 3D? Engineers and managers must carefully leverage from among the best options.
In the months ahead, OTA television station owners face some momentous decisions. Fast-changing technology will force them to either sell their spectrum in upcoming FCC auctions or rebuild their technological and business infrastructures to operate in a highly competitive Internet-centric future.
Growing concern among pay TV operators and broadcasters over live streaming piracy was evident at this year’s NAB in Las Vegas, with the main focus on sports. Until recently security of movies, the other major cash cow for pay TV, attracted more attention because that was thought more vulnerable with a longer window of opportunity. Yet it has become clear that the short revenue window of live sports is actually a liability since it means that piracy has an immediate impact and there is limited value tracking down infringing sources afterwards because the damage has already been done. As quickly as existing pirates are tracked down new ones will arrive, so the only remedy is to act almost immediately against infringing sources and shut them down.
The EBU (European Broadcasting Union) is urging its members to lobby regulators against conceding any further spectrum to mobile operators in the run up to the next global conference on frequency allocations at the end of the year. Unless European broadcasters hold on to the UHF band (470-694 MHz), Free To Air (FTA) services are likely to be reduced to marginal status, depriving many people who cannot afford pay TV of access to the full range of public service broadcast channels.
