[opendtv] Cable Show: IP Enthusiasm, 3D Wonder, Regulatory Caution
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx" <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 14 May 2010 16:26:02 -0500
"At a news conference following his remarks, Genachowski said that the FCC's
examination of retrans consent will focus on how the 'framework is... affecting
consumers' to find out if the current approach 'is still the right framework.'"
Interesting. Genachowski's expressed view on broadcasters in the past has been
that his kids don't know about them because they always watch cable. And he
also doesn't mind having cable costs included as part of the monthly rent in
apartment complexes. And he doesn't mind reducing the spectrum available to
broadcasters, which in turn reduces the amount of programming they can ever
hope to get on any local cable system. I would therefore conclude that retrans
consent is in jeopardy.
Bert
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http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/100722
Cable Show: IP Enthusiasm, 3D Wonder, Regulatory Caution
by Gary Arlen, 05.14.2010
LOS ANGELES: Brian Roberts could get a job demonstrating and selling high-tech
equipment in an electronics store, based on his video spiel showing off a
Comcast remote control app for the iPad. Comcast's CEO interrupted his comments
during a senior executives' session at the National Cable TV Association
convention to run the video in which he uses a Comcast iPad app to go through a
cable program menu, including thousands of on-demand shows, digital recording
options and social networking connections.
"This is going to work on almost every box that has been deployed," Roberts
said, pointing out that all services were being controlled from the cable
headend using a variety of technologies, including Internet Protocol. Roberts'
demo and comments were part of a larger message that permeated the Cable Show:
despite the industry's recent investment in switched video and other
transmission technologies, its future lies in IP. A major challenge is how to
manage the migration.
Not everyone is ready to make that IP plunge. Although multiplatform
distribution permeated the convention agenda-with many cable operators and
especially program networks accelerating their efforts-there were also constant
reminders about balancing the relatively new DOCSIS 3.0 technology with IP
distribution.
With an unexpected turnout of 13,000 people (about 1,000 more than predicted),
the Cable Show had a vitality despite the paucity of technology or programming
breakthroughs, or even any big sales announcements.
Predictably, policy issues-especially network neutrality and retransmission
consent-were on the minds of many attendees. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski,
in his Thursday remarks, repeated assurances he has made in recent months that
the FCC will evaluate issues. At a news conference following his remarks,
Genachowski said that the FCC's examination of retrans consent will focus on
how the "framework is... affecting consumers" to find out if the current
approach "is still the right framework.
On a different topic, during his convention appearance, Genachowski insisted
that, "Rate regulation is off the table. We're going to rely on competition."
3DTV demonstrations peppered the exhibit show floor, many of them similar to
ones seen earlier this year at CES and NAB exhibits. But opinions about it were
mixed. Viacom CEO Philippe Dauman said 3D "has been fantastic," but cautioned
that it will take "a few years for it to become meaningful in the TV industry."
Time Warner Cable CEO Glenn Britt said, "We have to pay attention to consumers'
(interests)," noting that high definition TV "was around for 20 years before it
took off" in the middle of the last decade.
Tivo CEO Tom Rogers responded to a comment from a Fox executive on an earlier
panel about "storytelling." The Fox executive had suggested that the hit film
"Avatar" succeeded because of the compelling storyline, not just because it was
in 3D. Rogers opined that such a comment was akin to people who said Raquel
Welch was a great star because she was so "well spoken."
Interactive TV-especially customized advertising-ascended, as more services
emerged using the EBIF (Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format). A consortium of
companies agreed to use a "SelecTV" icon (a red oval with that term in it) as a
consistent reminder to viewers that iTV content is available. Canoe Ventures,
the industry's advertising collaboration, will manage the SelecTV brand and
license it to certified cable providers, programmers and advertisers.
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