The recent publication of Lord Carter’s Digital Britain report, while centring upon the creation of a countrywide broadband service, has also opened up an interesting debate about television broadcasting in the future. While historically the UK has offered a very high quality TV service to viewers, increased competition in the sector and rising costs have in many ways seen the quality of broadcasting material reduced of late, much to the dismay of viewers. But will the onset of IPTV push the UK back to the higher echelons of the TV broadcasting industry?
While the likes of the BBC have enjoyed significant protection due to the ever increasing license fee income there is concern that this may not be enough to protect the corporation has IPTV comes to the fore. While we are still waiting for a super-speed broadband network in the UK, which is vital to the delivery of IPTV, this would only appear to be a matter of time.
Experts are already suggesting that the humble television could be a thing of the past after the analogue signal is switched off in 2012. Online TV, mobile phone TV services and an array of online “catch-up services” would appear to be the way forward for the future, but to avoid a “free for all” new regulations will need to be put in place as soon as possible. It will be interesting to see how the government intends to protect both viewers as well as the quality of future broadcasting in the UK.