IPTV, not the future for traditional Caribbean media
by David Mullings
Caribbean Media Conference (Jamaica)- There is no doubt that IPTV is going to be a force on the worldwide stage and there will undoubtedly be success stories, but I believe that the CURRENT state of traditional Caribbean media does not lend itself to successful IPTV ventures carrying channels outside the Caribbean.
I was a panelist on the first day of the Caribbean Media Conference and Expo, the panel on ‘cutting edge’ technology and opportunities for Caribbean media and entertainment. Some valid statements were made but one question alone shed light on what I have been saying all along. “Your plan is to stream a channel like TVJ into the USA via the internet and a set-top box but these Caribbean channels are predominantly filled with US content that is ONLY licensed to be shown on terrestrial television in that specific island. How will you deal with that?” The response was simple: “We have geo-blocking in place that will prevent that unlicensed content from airing”, to which the questioner responded “That’s a lot of blocking.”
Caribbean television stations generally do not have a lot of original programming and as such, there will really be a lot of blocking, which leads to reduced content. If you plan on streaming a LIVE channel, what replaces the blocked content? I hope that this dilemma leads to MORE original Caribbean programming since there will finally be a much larger audience and revenue stream to justify the expenses. IPTV could be the biggest cause for building soundstages, governments setting up funds to create original programming and more production companies setting up shop to take advantage of the opportunity to reach a massive audience.
We are now in an age of ‘massively distributed media’ and that means that you can generate significant revenues from many outlets and markets that were hard to tap into. I won’t be getting into IP TV or investing in a company, but I guarantee that I will be creating original content and investing in content creators.After all the hype though, I still prefer my content in an on-demand format and expect that to become the traditional delivery method of content over the web and via cable to my television.
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Cultural penetration,diffusion,imperialism and globalization on the part of metropolitan societies have resulted in local and original programming of television stations within the Caribbean being displaced and to some extent obsolete.Interestingly,this process of the reduction or displacement of original programming,also, involves or entails the proclivity and predilection of Caribbean nationals for foreign television programs.For Caribbean nation-states like Jamaica to benefit from IPTV, a high incidence of COUNTER PENETRATION on the part of Jamaica and other such states would or will be required with respect to local or original programming,which may not be economically feasible at this juncture or time.Ironically,original programming was somewhat signifiicant during the early post independece years of Jamaica, but today most programs are foreign in nature.Indeed,as you rightfully contend IPTV investment with respect to a company may not be apropos, but definitely creating original content and investing in content creators may or should be the correct route for the Caribbean.
I have to agree with the writer. IPTV is does not look like the way for traditional Caribbean media.
On-demand content seems the way to go. and people should be wary of investing in IPTV companies.
yeah IPTV companies are dead in the water without content, I like David believe that we need to encourage, facilitate even the development of quality content as there is no shortage of channels for them