TDG Research

Integrating Security for N-Screen Delivery

The Diffusion Group — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:21:31 GMT

Multi-screen media access still requires services providers to secure the content. Movie and TV show owners expect operators to protect their content, wherever and upon whichever device they deliver it. Until now, security solutions have been screen and network centric. This means operators have been forced to deploy completely different security solutions for each device and network type they support.

But can a service provider deploy a single security solution that works across N-screens? We will look at this question and explain why it is so difficult to do. We then look at the key features a service provider should look for in a unified security solution. Finally, an example of a real world deployment that uses a converged, single solution for their multi-screen TV deployment will be presented.

Web Video and 2012 “End of the World"

The Diffusion Group — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:01:58 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2012 Q1
Author: Predrag Filipovic, Ph.D., Contributing Analyst
Pages: 14

Many fear that web video will be forever relegated to short video clips burdened with latency and poor quality experiences; that it's most appropriate use is for short-form PC-centric video, not for living room entertainment.

TDG does not believe this is the case. In fact, we believe that in 2012 the online video segment will advance such that both businesses and consumers benefit. We are optimistic as to the future of web video; an advance exemplified by three (out of several) web video technologies: MPEG-DASH, HTML5, and WebM.

Filling the Video Value Gap: The Case for Broadband TV

Colin Dixon — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 15:30:24 GMT

Consumers are looking for better value from their home entertainment services. While traditional PayTV has long filled this need, its high price and inflexibility are leading many to consider alternatives. Operators are also looking to derive more value from their networks.

In this paper, we discuss how these gaps can both be filled with the launch of Broadband TV services while delivering strong economic value to both consumers and operators.

IP Services for Network Operators: An In-depth, Independent Review of 6 Cisco Proposed Services

The Diffusion Group — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:42:18 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2011 Q2
Authors: Colin Dixon, Senior Partner, Advisory, TDG Research and Steve Hawley, Principal Analyst, tvstrategies
Pages: 12

Nobody questions the central role television plays in home entertainment—and pay TV is the dominant vehicle for television broadcasting in many countries. However, pay TV providers have more competition than ever. Video delivered via the Internet is threatening all of the established pay TV providers by allowing both mainstream and alternative content providers to take programming directly to consumers, “over the top.”

To help facilitate this transition, Cisco Systems has introduced Videoscape, a solution built for delivering the next generation of TV experiences across managed and unmanaged networks.

This paper examines six opportunities Cisco Systems believes Service Providers should consider as they evaluate whether or not to integrate the Internet into their offerings.

Table of Contents:
1. Executive Summary
2. Introduction
3. Six Service Models
4. Summary Analysis
5. Conclusions

Deriving New Value from Video Content Libraries

The Diffusion Group — Fri, 06 May 2011 18:28:55 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2011 Q2
Author: Will Richmond, VideoNuze and Colin Dixon, TDG Research
Presented by: Thought Equity Motion
Pages: 11

Because high-quality video is so expensive to produce, the ability to monetize and extract value from it, whether at the box office, on TV, in licensing or in other ways is essential. However, there now exists a “perfect storm” of technology that will fundamentally change the economics of the video industry.

In this white paper, we will discuss the changing dynamic of the television experience being enabled by new technologies, how this shift is bringing archived content back into relevance, and how to monetize these otherwise stagnant libraries.

Table of Contents:
1. Introduction
2. Technology Changes Everything
3. Video Libraries’ Time Has Come
4. Understanding the Processes for Unlocking Value
5. Unlocking a Library - The NCAA Vault Experience
6. Conclusion

List of Figures:
Figure 1 - The Asset Digitization Process

Broadband: The Next Frontier for Service Provider PayTV

The Diffusion Group — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:42:25 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2010 Q3
Author: Colin Dixon
Presented by: Minerva Networks
Pages: 10

For service operators, these are extraordinary times. In recent years, many have stepped into the world of pay television services hoping to capture significant market share and new revenues. While they have experienced some success in this endeavor, it has come at a very high cost. Constructing and managing networks capable of supporting high-quality television delivery is a costly and lengthy process that requires massive investment. At a time when other core revenues are declining, justifying such expenses is no easy task. Consequently, many video-related network upgrades have slowed or stalled completely, thus limiting the ability of operators to market video services to all customers and ultimately slowing service growth.

This paper will look at the advantages of BPTV and consumer attitudes toward it. We will also examine the opportunity for broadband pay TV operators (BPOs) in the market and finally look at an example of a BPO service.

Table of Contents:
1.0 In Brief
2.0 Introduction
3.0 Can Broadband Really Deliver?
4.0 Are Consumers Ready for Broadband TV?
5.0 Operators Are Standing By
6.0 Conclusion

List of Figures:
Fig. 1: BPTV Demand at Various Price Points
Fig. 2: Netflix Customers Enjoy Streaming to their Television

The Social TV Guide: Boosting VoD Revenue and Customer Engagement through Enhanced Content Discovery

The Diffusion Group — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 22:08:25 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2010 Q3
Author: Colin Dixon
Presented by: Orca Interactive
Pages: 10

Since its introduction earlier this decade, video-on-demand (VoD) has been a great success with PayTV subscribers around the world. Comcast recently announced that, since its introduction in 2003, the on-demand system had delivered 11 billion views. Virgin Media is also seeing customers flock to the service claiming that its 2.1 million subscribers had already used the system 200 million times in just the first four months of 2010.2 While these numbers are significant, they mask a major problem for service providers: the vast majority of on-demand views are for free content, with pay-per-view (PPV) being ignored almost completely.

This paper will look at how targeting techniques and social networking can help boost on-demand revenues for operators. Drawing on new consumer research from TDG, we will examine how these tools are faring in today’s marketplace. It also examines the impact both techniques might have an imaginary “million subscriber” PayTV operator, CommTVCo, and discuss how the company might use them to enhance the EPG experience.

Table of Contents:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Social Networks: The New Tool for Selling Content
3.0 What This Means for VoD Revenue
4.0 Targeting: Good for You, Good for Your Customers
5.0 What This Means for Revenue
6.0 Happier Customers = Higher ARPU and Less Churn
7.0 Summary

List of Figures:
Fig. 1: Comcast’s On Demand EPG Section Highlights Recent Shows and Movies
Fig. 2: Orca’s COMPASS Guide includes Social Features
Fig. 3: Targeted Selling Techniques used by Amazon.com
Fig. 4: Value of Current PayTV Service among Broadband Subscribers

Containing the Costs of Multi-Screen Delivery: A Primer on Scalable Video Coding

The Diffusion Group — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 19:55:00 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Release Date: 2010 Q3
Author: Colin Dixon
Presented by: Seawell Networks
Pages: 9

The new media world order presents many opportunities for content providers to reach viewers in new and exciting ways. But it brings challenges as well. Delivering to multiple screens is a tremendous opportunity. Keeping costs down while doing so, however, is far from easy.

This paper will look at the growth in multi-screen video distribution. It will examine the challenges faced by a fictitious online content provider, VballVolley.net, and discuss a solution to one of the major contributors to infrastructure cost growth: video file proliferation.

Table of Contents:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 It’s a Multi-Screen, Multi-Network World
3.0 Delivering to Multi-Screens Is an Expensive Business
4.0 A New Approach: Scalable Video Coding
5.0 Summary and Conclusion

List of Figures:
Fig. 1: Many Screen Resolutions and Network Speeds make Multi-Screen Delivery a Challenge
Fig. 2: H.264 SVC saves Disk Space over H.264 AVC

Bandwidth Challenges to the Digital Home: 2010

The Diffusion Group — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 20:11:07 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Price: $0.00
Release Date: 2010 Q2
Author: Colin Dixon
Pages: 10

Telecom operators seeking to enter the lucrative television market based on existing DSL technology are facing serious bandwidth problems, primarily due to the fact that High Definition Television (HDTV) is rapidly exceeding the capacity of DSL networks serving today's homes.

In order to grow into their network, Telecom operators need to consider new solutions. This Market dBrief™ will examine the criteria needed when evaluating new last-mile technologies.

Table of Contents:
1.0 Introduction
2.0 Triple Play Leads the Way
3.0 Video Bandwidth Concerns in the Telecom Network
4.0 Telecom Operators need a New Approach to Last Mile Bandwidth
5.0 Can Fiber Meet the Need?

PayTV versus A la Carte

The Diffusion Group — Wed, 26 May 2010 20:38:11 GMT

Product Category: Market dBrief™
Price: $0.00
Release Date: 2010 Q2
Authors: Michael Greeson
Pages: 17

Some six years ago, TDG first waded into the tete-a-tete regarding à la carte services, arguing in support of the proposition. Not much has changed during these six years, at least in the U.S. In Canada, however, enlightened MSOs have recognized the necessity of adding á la carte options to their service mix.

This Market dBrief™ examines three questions regarding the subject of à la carte PayTV offerings in the U.S.

Download today to learn:

What does the Canadian experience tell us about the future of à la carte in the U.S.?
What do U.S. consumers have to say about à la carte versus closed programming tiers?
The three principal streaming solutions available today
What can demographic characteristics of à la carte enthusiasts tell us about early demand for such services?

Table of Contents:
   Weighing in on À La Carte, Five Years Later
   Must be Something In the Water
   ALA in the USA
   But What Does the Research Say?
   Who Are These À la Carte Enthusiasts, Anyway?

The Little Book of Broadband Video

Michael Greeson — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:02:33 GMT

Why Call it “The Little Book?"
The growing confluence of broadband, home networks, and connected devices made it clear that consumers were putting the pieces in place to support the digital lifestyle. At that time, however, most broadband-enabled home networks were limited to PC and peripheral connectivity with the majority of use focused on data-centric activities.

Since that time, a variety of new devices and services have surfaced to seamlessly extend the broadband connection and home network into the realm of digital entertainment. Specifically, new solutions are aiming to extend this digital infrastructure beyond the PC and into the home entertainment system. It will be years before this model of entertainment distribution goes mainstream, but the pieces are now in place for the "over-the-top" model of content delivery to gain a solid foothold.

The Little Book of Broadband Video is a collection of 10 key insights regarding this rapidly evolving market. We hope that our unique perspective helps you gain a more concise picture of the broadband video landscape and spark some deeper thought by all involved in this market.

As a busy executive, your time is precious. TDG’s reports are designed with that in mind, each focused on getting to the point and going beyond the fluff and puff of those other reports that spend chapters stating the obvious.

Is “Over the Top” Really That Important?
Definitely. Whether you call it convergence, New TV, Over the Top, or any other name, broadband video models will forever change the television landscape. How will you compete in this new market?