IPTV — The next generation television

Technology innovation fast-forwards natural selection in the telecommunications marketplace by destroying old markets and creating new ones in their place. IPTV usually means distribution of television or video content over a controlled IP network, where the end consumer receives the information through a set-top box which is connected to its normal broadband connection. Just because its name is IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) it does not mean that information is sent over the internet, only that IP protocol is used. So we should not consider streaming video over the internet as IPTV. Many of the world's major telecommunications providers are exploring IPTV as a new revenue opportunity from their existing markets and as a defensive measure against encroachment from more conventional Cable Television services. Also, there is a growing number of IPTV installations within schools, universities, corporations and local institutions. Will the content of IPTV be different from that of the traditional video delivery systems of broadcast television, video recordings, cable television and satellite television? How are the new IPTV business structured? What new modes of intermediation are replacing older forms in this market? Are things moving away from a mass audience model for high end television toward a more niche oriented approach? These are some of the questions that we have tried to answer in this paper. We have also given an insight to the hope of IPTV in Indian market.