It is no doubt a dynamic market for digital TV operators, who constantly need to introduce new services, yet do it cost effectively, and while keeping the service on and smoothly running. The growing competition, new content platforms embraced by viewers, and technological advancements, all drive the introduction of new services, which transform traditional TV viewing into an interactive social experience. These new services should aim at creating a whole experience for viewers, such as enabling them to browse through video titles and pick content based on suggestions, recommendations, key-words or related topics across multiple resources. Our entertainment at home is no longer ‘one way’. We have all gotten used to searching and sharing content with family and friends through the Web. Users today are looking for the same experience when they retrieve content via the TV at home. If I just finished watching Nigella Lawson’s program, I want to be able to let my friends know in real time that Nigella is making the best Chocolate Mousse tonight through messaging or recommending the program or even get the recipe to make it myself. This is just one example of what next generation TV should easily enable as it becomes an extension to the lives of those who watch it.
And operators already have the infrastructure to allow access to resources that would enable this functionality. What is needed on top of this infrastructure is the next gen digital TV platform that would enable those advanced services and bridge the gap between TV and the Internet, providing a unified and seamless viewing experience to the user, while allowing operators to cost-effectively differentiate their offering and remain ahead of the game. It is an inevitable step towards the Next TV era, and I am sure we will see a lot of efforts on the part of operators to quickly introduce the services that will be the foundation of the television of tomorrow.
About the author
Tracy is Senior Vice President, Business Development for OpenTV (OPTV – NASDAQ). Tracy is responsible for identifying and developing new markets and industry partnerships for OpenTV as well as leading technology innovation within OpenTV. She also oversees the company's worldwide communications, product marketing, and strategic alliances, working closely with the other members of senior management to identify and map strategic direction, product roadmap and other corporate initiatives.
A frequent speaker and panelist, Tracy speaks to a variety of topics on digital television, interactive television services and advanced advertising. Since starting with OpenTV in 2000, she has held various roles in Business Development, Market Development, and Partner Management.
Tracy has more than 18 years of experience developing solutions, services, and products in media and technology for companies such as Oracle Corporation, nCUBE (now C-COR), ExtendMedia, and the Bulldog Group.
Tracy is based in San Francisco, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters.
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