Video Podcasts Straight To Your Television
I’ve been an optimist about the Internet’s move to encompass/subvert/overtake television for several years, however, I think it’s happening a little quicker than even I expected.
The final barrier is a simple user interface for access on a standard television set. You know, press a button on the remote, select a channel/source/stream/videocast and sit back and watch. I’ve been waiting for Microsoft to announce a service via Xbox Live.
Yesterday TiVo skipped the queue and announced the TiVoCast service.
“Television is still the preferred platform for watching video. The TiVoCast service captures mainstream and specialty-based content on the Web, delivering programming that is not otherwise available through the TV today and providing a wide variety of choice that will be of interest to all segments of the TV audience,” said Tara Maitra, TiVo’s Vice President and General Manager, Programming. “The TiVoCast service provides niche networks and broadband content suppliers, for which the economics of television distribution might not make sense, a way to connect with audiences in the living room via their favorite medium for watching video, TV and TiVo.”
Given the move by ABC, NBC, BBC, CBS, et. al. to trial the distribution of some of their shows online, it seems logical that within the next couple of years that most content will be sent via the Internet, not just via the current broadcast model.
I should at this point mention my suggestion to Eddie McGuire I made in February.
My third suggestion would be to partner with a set top box manufacturer. Build a simple device that sits in people’s lounge rooms that aggregates multiple sources–digital broadcasts and Internet media–and you’ll begin to capture a community.
Maybe they should look to bring TiVo to our shores.
My favorite part of TiVo’s announcement is the inclusion of RocketBoom. I think that’s a massive endorsement of podcasting and videocasting.
Next up, TPN on your television set! :)
June 9th, 2006 at 5:42 am
Rich what our local networks neet to do is have a look at getting into some of the IPTV before the traditional telcos. They should look at services such as http://products.nortel.com/go/solution_content.jsp?segId=0&parId=0&prod_id=54980&locale=en-US#
June 9th, 2006 at 8:17 am
Well, the tv mostly just gathers dust in our house. We do watch stuff but we use the PC (see http://flexnib.blogspot.com/2005/09/new-toy.html ), and it’s mostly obtained via.. um.. let’s just say we pay $90/month for our Broadband.. ;) It would be nice to have a reason to use that box again…
June 9th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Michael. The only issue with IPTV models like Nortel’s is it costs several million to deploy. I’m not familiar with their hardware, but most require deploying to local exchanges, i.e., a very decentralized model, which again makes it expensive when you consider leasing floor space in Telstra’s exchanges, maintenance, etc.
Personally I believe IPTV is dead. I think the iTunes Music Store or trickle feed models work a lot better in today’s environment.
I think the easy way forward is for the networks to dip their toe into downloadable content, like Nine is doing with its Catch-up TV they are trialling with McLeod’s Daughters.
June 9th, 2006 at 10:47 am
CW. You should grab a modded Xbox and run Xbox Media Center. Then you can stream the content from your PC straight to your television. :)
November 7th, 2006 at 10:04 pm
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