“Second screen solutions see dramatic explosion”

IBC, one of the largest TV technology conferences cum exhibition globally, is in its 20th year. As usual the TV technology glitterati is here from different countries – CEOs, CTOs, CXOs along with their respective teams – either to shop or to sell.

The conference has a wide set of experts from TV and technology companies including Google, TiVo, Discovery Networks, the BBC, LG Electronics, ZeeBox, Virgin Media, etc. speaking on a string of topics covering broad themes such as:
• the rise of multi-screen video consumption worldwide
• the use of mobiles and tablets during Olympics
• potential revenue models for video apps
• applying Cloud technology to the TV media model

In the backdrop of the conference, the exhibition has all the usual suspects as exhibitors – set top box companies, transmitters, receivers, cameras, TV equipment, TV hardware-software-middleware, playout and post-production.

Winds of change
Having been a regular visitor to the IBC for the last four years, it is remarkable to see the subtle industry level shifts in stalls and solutions being demo-ed. For instance, the very definite demise of analog TV solutions in favour of digital TV is a key pattern observed. So is the shift away from IPTV to a more general connected TV devices and platforms.

But the most dramatic explosion seen is in solutions covering the second screen (mobile, tablet apps) experience for TV channels, shows and operators. In fact, Hall-14, called IBC Connected World, reflects the explosive changes sweeping the industry driven by internet connected devices, both in and out of the home. IBC has created a dedicated Hall-14 to showcase these themes and the very latest in over-the-top video, IPTV and mobile TV. Attendees can meet application developers, content providers and technology companies active in the rapidly expanding online video scene to explore the impact of our increasingly connected world on the creation, management and delivery of content everywhere.

Low India turnout
While there is a fairly large European presence in this edition of the IBC, the one constituency that is clearly absent is Indian cable companies and MSOs. Clearly the focus on DAS in the Indian market has kept the mainline MSOs out. Having said that, I did meet a lot of DTH company execs who are here with their shopping bags purchasing new set top boxes, software and systems.

The author is Chief Executive Officer, What’s-On-India