Abstract :
IPTV is the provision of video programming targeted at a television display device using internet protocols to provide addressable delivery and has been widely adopted by DSL service providers around the world. How does this compete with other forms of “television”. It cannot and should not try to compete just on price and it cannot rely on an initial surge of subscribers that are disenchanted with their existing providers as these represent a limited market and form the section with the most churn. The magic ingredient has to be quality of service (in the truest sense) and choice of programming. This paper develops ideas based on the real life experience that Harmonic has gained with more than 40 leading IPTV service providers. It looks at the technological, commercial and legal challenges that must be tackled by any successful operator in this space.