What is the future of the set-top box in an on-demand world? Pay-TV operators are increasingly looking to deliver their services through an app on mainstream CE manufacturers’ devices rather than build and support their own STB. Telia Sonera is a good example of this, having recently launched an app which takes control of a Samsung Smart TV when it detects a TS broadband connection.
Recently there have been a few cases of companies selling off their STB divisions, such as Google & Motorola Mobility, Cisco & Linksys. What are the reasons for this? European power management requirements have rendered older STB technology obsolete, while the cost of STB development, integration, management and upgrading is huge and a considerable barrier to advancing technology precisely when there is high and growing consumer demand.
So, with the growing tension between modes and methods of delivery putting pressure on both the MVPDs and the infrastructure providers as more content gets delivered over IP, are we seeing the death of the set-top box? And is this a global picture? What about the less connected countries and regions of the developing world?
Users want one place where they can find and watch content they want easily: YouView/HbbTv, for instance, come with dedicated boxes that combine access to DTT/ satellite, with access to web content, all integrated within a single programme guide. Is the next logical step in content aggregation to remove the EPG altogether and move towards content search instead?
Representatives from pay-TV operators and OTT services, as well as business and technical staff from broadcasters looking at their route to market will hear an expert panel debate the issues. Are we coming to a world where the operator as an app is the norm? Is it really a case of either/or? Or is there room for both the cloud and the set-top box in the Connected Home? Register now to find out first.
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