The Dawn of Broadband TV is Here

[Commentary] We are witnessing some profound changes in the video business these days. Broadband has now enabled some very distinct shifts in the delivery of video. It’s led to the emergence of a new model for video and entertainment -- broadband TV -- where an increasing amount of A-list content and, some will argue, a better user experience, is now delivered over broadband. No expensive headend required. Broadband carriers are now in a position to take a fresh look at the TV business. And traditional pay-TV providers are now in a position to refine their product. Indeed broadband is changing the TV business, probably more quickly than first imagined. Traditional pay-TV providers are openly embracing over-the-top (OTT) delivery. DISH has even launched a ‘competing’ OTT service in Sling TV. A slew of cable companies have integrated Netflix into their channel line-up. Hulu just joined that party too. Many broadband service providers have launched broadband TV apps on Roku devices, featuring local broadcast channels and other local content. Legacy media companies like HBO and CBS are now streaming live and on-demand content over the Internet.

It’s all in response to shifting market factors. Those factors are many in number but they include: customers cutting or shaving the cord to save money; customers wanting a better experience in terms of how, where, and when they consume content; broadband service providers looking for ways to monetize the exploding amount of video traffic on their networks; and video service providers looking for ways to improve their margins and build a better business for the delivery of video.