Approval of the BBC's plan to launch a digital satellite service is good news for internet TV operators in the UK.
I have long had the conviction that traditional broadcast distribution technologies such as cable and satellite are great for distributing HD, whereas IP is the most efficient way of delivering more specialised channels.
I'd expect ITV, Channel 4 and others to move onto the platform in order to subsidise it, severely weakening Freeview (which is only capable of carrying a handful of HD channels), and offering a real alternative to Sky and Virgin Media.
But satellite is, and will remain, an expensive distribution medium, so more and more 'cable' channels will be forced to move to internet distribution.
I have long had the conviction that traditional broadcast distribution technologies such as cable and satellite are great for distributing HD, whereas IP is the most efficient way of delivering more specialised channels.
I'd expect ITV, Channel 4 and others to move onto the platform in order to subsidise it, severely weakening Freeview (which is only capable of carrying a handful of HD channels), and offering a real alternative to Sky and Virgin Media.
But satellite is, and will remain, an expensive distribution medium, so more and more 'cable' channels will be forced to move to internet distribution.
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