Role of Big Data in Shaping the Future of Television Broadcasting
The Shift from Cable to Broadband: A New Era in Entertainment
In the ever-evolving world of technology, the way we consume entertainment is changing rapidly. A study by Frank N. Magid Associates in 2014 revealed that 2.9% of cable TV consumers were 'very likely' to cancel their service in the year ahead, a number that has been growing steadily since. This trend is being fuelled by several factors, with millennials leading the charge.
The shift from traditional TV to video on demand (VOD) applications is being driven by ubiquitous connectivity, internet bandwidth improvements, and a proliferation of online content providers. As more providers develop content that needs to be stored online, the demand for readily available high-definition content is increasing.
This transition is posing challenges for technology professionals, who are tasked with scaling infrastructures to meet the surging demand for bandwidth-hogging content like HD video. Cisco's Visual Network Index (VNI) predicts that by 2018, global consumer VOD traffic will double to the equivalent of 6 billion DVDs per month, and IP video will become 79% of all consumer traffic.
Internet providers can support this transition by upgrading and expanding their network infrastructure to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet. Investing in fiber optics and 5G technologies will ensure the reliable internet needed for streaming high-definition and ultra-HD content without buffering or interruptions.
Providers are also decoupling internet from traditional cable bundles, offering standalone broadband services that allow consumers to access streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV without being tied to cable TV subscriptions or bundled packages. This aligns with the 'Cord Cutting 2.0' trends, particularly among millennials who prioritize speed, flexibility, and content choice.
The growing market of smart TVs, streaming devices, and apps is being encouraged by providers who ensure compatibility and robust connectivity. Collaborating with content providers moving away from cable (e.g., ESPN transitioning to streaming) enables providers to bundle or promote popular streaming services, catering to consumer demand for exclusive and original content on-demand.
Improving the customer experience through AI and automation is another key strategy. Using AI-driven network optimization and predictive maintenance can reduce outages and improve service quality, addressing consumer expectations for seamless, buffer-free streaming. Offering transparent and flexible pricing models that cater to millennials' preferences for fair, transparent pricing without hidden fees and flexible plans also plays a crucial role.
The work of big data and IT companies is crucial in developing servers, storage systems, and network products that can meet the surging demand for high-quality content. As more cable television subscribers cut the cord, technology professionals are faced with the challenge of storing and delivering this content consistently and reliably.
This shift in content consumption represents a tremendous opportunity for the IT industry, but also presents challenges. A recent survey from ComScore found that 24% of TV viewers aged 18 to 34 don't subscribe to a traditional pay TV service. As the numbers of cable TV consumers likely to cancel their service continue to grow, it's clear that the future of entertainment is not about cable, but broadband.
Just as the character Neo was advised in the 1999 film The Matrix, it's not the technology that bends, it is only ourselves. The shift from cable to broadband is not a technological revolution, but a consumer one. And as technology professionals, it's our role to adapt and meet the evolving needs of consumers in this new era of entertainment.
In response to the shift from traditional cable TV to video on demand, data-and-cloud-computing solutions play an integral role in storing and delivering the surge of high-quality content. As more consumers prioritize streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV, the demand for technology that ensures seamless, buffer-free streaming increases, thus reshaping the lifestyle of viewers.
The proliferation of smart TVs and streaming devices facilitated by IT companies is a key driver of this trend, emphasizing the importance of technology in the new era of entertainment where lifestyle trends are heavily influenced by data-and-cloud-computing capabilities.
