Going digital [the changing face of broadcasting

Abstract

This paper discusses how the convergence of broadcast and broadband networks is on the verge of changing the old broadcasting model in unprecedented ways. Called Internet protocol television (IPTV), this new technology will enable genuinely interactive television as video and audio services are delivered over broadband networks, seamlessly blending broadcast and on-demand media while providing a continuously available return path. In this new and massively fragmented environment, control is expected to transfer from the supplier to the consumer, as viewers construct their personalized schedules from a vast array of international providers, and watch programs whenever they want.