Television has been evolving since its invention, from live-only programmes to VOD. With change in technology, there are opportunities as well. The satellites used for satellite television are typically geostationary satellites. These satellites orbit the Earth at the same speed as the Earth’s rotation, which allows them to stay in a fixed position relative to the Earth’s surface. There are different substitutes to Satellite TV, which are:
1. Broadcast television was the original method of television broadcasting, and it is still used today, although its popularity has been surpassed by cable, satellite, and internet television in many areas. One of the main advantages of broadcast television is that it can be received for free with a suitable antenna, whereas cable and satellite television require paid subscriptions
2. Traditional Cable Television: This is a system of delivering television programming to consumers via coaxial cables or fibre-optic cables. Offers a wide variety of programming, including local network affiliates, national networks, specialised cable networks, and premium channels that offer movies and original programming.
3. IPTV: delivers television content over the Internet. The flexibility, convenience and advantages of IPTV are significant over traditional television broadcasting methods. The ability to access content at any time and on various devices, such as TVs, tablets, or smartphones, is a significant draw for many consumers. IPTV is mostly used for:
1.Video on Demand (VOD) 2. Live Television and Live Media 3.Time-Shifted Media, users can watch television shows at a time that is convenient to him 4. TV on Demand (TVoD): similar to VoD but for television shows, etc.
5. Streaming services, also known as OTT services, deliver video and/or audio content directly to users over the internet. This is a departure from traditional methods of content delivery such as terrestrial broadcast, cable, or satellite TV. Streaming services have become a popular way for consumers to access a wide range of content, including movies, TV shows, live events, and music. Streaming services continue to grow in popularity as more and more consumers “cut the cord” and move away from traditional cable, IPTV, and satellite TV.
Streaming versus IPTV: Both deliver video and audio content over the Internet, but they do so in different ways and offer different features. Here are some key differences:
3. Delivery Network: IPTV services are provided by telecom operators over a managed network, which can provide a guaranteed level of quality and service. These services are typically delivered through a dedicated, managed network separate from the public Internet. On the other hand, streaming services like Netflix or Hulu are delivered over the public Internet.
4. Access and Equipment: IPTV requires a subscription to a specific internet service provider (ISP) or telecom, and one needs special equipment (like an IPTV set-top box). In contrast, streaming services can be accessed on any device with an internet connection and the necessary app or web browser, regardless of the ISP.
5. Content Delivery: IPTV services include features similar to traditional TV, such as live television and time-shifted television (watching previously aired shows), and they may offer packages of channels. OTT streaming services typically focus on on-demand content, allowing users to choose what they watch and when. Some OTT platforms do offer live streaming as well, but their mainstay is usually on-demand content.
6. Business Model: IPTV is typically a subscription-based service where users pay a monthly fee to access a bundle of channels or services. Streaming services, on the other hand, can operate under a wider range of business models, including subscription (SVOD, like Netflix), transactional (TVOD, like iTunes), or ad-supported (AVOD, like YouTube).
7. Regulation: IPTV services often have to follow the same regulations as traditional cable or satellite TV providers, which may include rules about the content they can offer and how it’s packaged. Streaming services have traditionally been less regulated.Both IPTV and OTT services like Netflix use the internet to deliver video content; they do so in slightly different ways and offer different features and services.
The lines between IPTV and OTT services are becoming increasingly blurred as technology and market demands evolve. Many services now offer a mix of live, on-demand, and recorded content, accessible on a wide range of devices. Most satellite TV providers still use geostationary satellites; however, the cheaper data rates offered by MEO and LEO are no match for geostationary satellites. The industry is moving towards 4K and Ultra HD, and customers are moving towards streaming, for which one requires a stable and reasonably fast internet connection with no or minimum latency to work well. Above all, the charges/price must fit the business case of the customer /user. LEO satellites aim to provide broadband speeds and rates comparable to those of terrestrial ISPs, which would be more than sufficient for IPTV and streaming services. LEO satellite currently does not have data caps, which will attract customers as streaming video, especially at high quality, can consume a large amount of data.Till the time Pakistani new satellite services are not offered, let’s keep our fingers crossed.
