IP's introduction heralds growth in TV network media diversity, changes (often overestimated) in video consumption, and increases in distribution solutions. Meanwhile, we are seeing the development of a solutions market (acquisitions, partnerships, standardization processes, etc.) required to help clarify offers for operator customers and their users.

From these two contradictory trends, there are now more questions than answers. Will the future market boundaries associated with IP's introduction actually result in expanding coverage and new video consumption modes or are we seeing a revolution in TV distribution?

The ecosystems could therefore vary greatly. This raises several other questions as well. By extension, is the convergence of offers and networks theoretical or will it finally end up solidifying? Is IP distribution more effective? Can it support large scale TV quality of service? Is IP truly free and unlimited?

This break between TV service offers and networks poses the question about the trade-off between the integrated service model in a walled garden and neutrality in access to various services. The various solution suppliers must anticipate these choices in a very volatile market.
IP Video Distribution in brief

- IPTV Ecosystems: Fixed IPTV, Mobile TV, Internet TV
- IP video distribution player positioning
- IP video distribution architecture and content, cost and quality of service trade-offs
- IPTV regulation, interoperability, and standardisation
- Video convergence and segmentation
- Level of openness in the video distribution market
- Distribution scenarios up to 2015

- Fixed IPTV
- Mobile TV
- Internet TV
- Unicast, Multicast, Peer to Peer, CDN
- Walled garden
- Streaming, downloading
- Live, on demand video
- …
Key Questions

- What is the current proposed IP video content and how is it being distributed?
- What are the issues of this new audiovisual paradigm?
- Who manages the service distribution platform? The consumer interface?
- Which architecture models are best suited to the various types of content (popular, niche)?
- What are the cost and quality of service trade-offs?
- Convergence of content offerings vs. growing segmentation?
Who should read this report?

TV platform operators
- Identify opportunities for development over Internet
- Evaluate the development of services from competitors coming from the Internet world
- Tailor your offering as a function of the architecture options available in the market

Telecom operators (fixed and mobile)
- Understand the strategy of tradtional TV and Internet players in the area of video
- Evaluate opportunities in the area of multimedia domestic networks
- Determine architecture choices and service distribution policies

TV channels and media groups
- Analyse the situation of competition coming from the Internet
- Identify the IP distribution methods the most compatible with your offering
- Anticipate new outlets

Internet Players
- Understand the possible bridges to other networks
- Define the opportunities for content syndication
- Position your video distribution offering based on competition and new opportunities

Equipment and Solution Providers
- Understand changes in the needs of TV service providers
- Identify changes in distribution ecosystems to tailor your offering
- Analyse the options associated with multi-network offerings or convergence

Investors and Analysts
- Understand video producers' positioning as well as opportunities and threats associated with IP
- Position the major IP video distribution architectures and players
- Anticipate the next moves in the video distribution ecosystem
Solution Providers

- Abacast
- Akamai
- Alcatel/Lucent
- Apple
- Bittorrent
- CacheLogic
- Cisco
- Cognac Jay Images
- Ericsson
- Kontiki
- Limelight
- Microsoft
- Motorola
- Nokia/Siemens
- Nortel
- OpenTV
- Ortiva Wireless
- Qualcomm
- Real Networks
- Thomson Grass Valley
- UTStarcom

Services and Aggregation

- BBC
- Brightcove
- DailyMotion
- Fastweb
- FreeBe TV
- Gemstar TV Guide
- Google Video
- Hava Box
- Joost
- Location free
- Mobibase
- MSN Video
- Slingbox
- Virgin Media
- Yahoo Video
- YouTube