ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the ongoing migration from channels to software-configured platforms for accessing video content. It also assesses strategies of both market entrants and incumbents to use technological innovations for acquiring or maintaining market share. The chapter considers whether incumbents may overcome competitive threats by devising new ways to lock down content and prevent consumers from fully exploiting new options, even for lawful content sharing and recording. Internet protocol television (IPTV) and Over-the-Top television (OTT) refer to the ability of content creators and new or existing content distributors to provide consumers with access to video content via broadband links, in lieu of, or in addition to, traditional media. IPTV can enhance the value proposition offered by internet service providers (ISPs). It refers to the ability of the Internet, and specifically it's Internet Protocol addressing scheme and its Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) traffic management formats, to provide broadband users with user-friendly access to video content.
