New Report Says IPTV Making Inroads

A new report released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) states that Australians are increasingly using other means to view video content other than their television. The report is part of the ACMA’s ongoing research program into the application of emerging technologies.

A new report released by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) states that Australians are increasingly using other means to view video content other than their television. The report is part of the ACMA’s ongoing research program into the application of emerging technologies.

The report identifies that, while traditional content viewing services such as free-to-air and subscription broadcasting still form the backbone for video and television content viewing, there has been a material increase in the number of alternative distribution methods – especially the internet.

‘This report is a useful reminder of the impact of the internet on viewing options for Australians,’ said ACMA Chairman, Chris Chapman. ‘While most of these delivery models are still in their infancy in Australia, some examples, such as internet video viewing, are becoming much more common among consumers.’

The report suggests that one in five Australians have already viewed full-length television programmes over the internet and one in eight have viewed full-length films.

‘With higher internet speeds and increasing bandwidth capacity, increasingly consumers are less restricted to viewing their favourite programmes according to a predetermined schedule or on a single device, such as the family television,’ Mr Chapman said. ‘Already, we’ve seen television ‘catch-up’ services gathering popularity in Australian households.’

The report suggests that the changing content delivery environment will continue to increase the fragmentation of audiences, with ramifications for content owners, distributors, broadcasters and regulators alike. In order to maximise audience reach, television broadcasters, independent websites and content service providers are offering increasing amounts of professionally produced content online.

However, the report doesn’t mention the impact these new technologies will have on content providers, especially from the bit torrent sites that allow illegal downloading of films and television programmes, and the knock-on effect this has on the bottom line for studios and production houses.