Consumers are faced with a dizzying array of options to catch up with TV viewing as the cable business struggles with windowing strategies across multiple digital platforms.
One frustration for viewers is the inconsistent manner in which their favorite shows are offered online and on-demand.
“What is delaying the multichannel TV world is a complex web of vested interests ranging from the cable and satellite operators that dictate most of the distribution parameters for programming to the studios that hold onto some of the rights to the content they license to the networks,” notes Variety. “Then there are the varying off-air marketing strategies, not to mention just old-fashioned indecision.”
Programmers are faced with ad revenue challenges when considering premiere telecasts, reruns, DVR playback and more.
“Cablers also need to protect their relationships with operators that pay them a fortune in carriage fees,” explains the article. “On the other hand, programmers want to maximize the exposure of their shows in ways that can drive ratings back to on-air, dilute the appeal of piracy and capitalize on the momentum of online video in general.”
The industry’s lack of uniformity has evolved during the dawn of the TV Everywhere era, enabled by over-the-top products and services (and impacted by consumers’ changing expectations).
“What we’re really trying to do as an industry is to get a point of consistent time-shifted product available on all devices and platforms to pay TV subscribers,” said Mike Hopkins, president of distribution at Fox Networks.
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