1. Introduction

This paper of this contribution is to use the methodology proposed in 030701chariglione01 for the specific use case “contents convergence between terrestrial broadcasting and telecommunications”.

Following digitization of telecommunications networks, digitizing terrestrial broadcasting network will achieve seamless total digital network.

2. Description of the traditional terrestrial broadcasting

2.1 Functions of traditional terrestrial broadcasting

• Produce programs
• Receive broadcasting programs without any payment
• Receive broadcasting programs in a uni-directional way
• Acquire revenue by
  • advertisement,
  • subscription fee,
  • selling off–line broadcasting programs to end users (e.g. video tapes)
  • selling broadcasting programs to other operators (e.g. cable)

2.2 Traditional value chain players

• Program creators
• Program/content owners
• Broadcasters
• Secondary distribution providers
• Advertisers
• Broadcasting equipment manufacturers
• End users
• TV receiver manufacturers

2.3 Technologies used in the traditional use case

Today’s traditional terrestrial broadcasting service is successful. However, the conversion technology between different standards such as NTSC, PAL, and SECAM is needed. The rest is well-established.

2.4 Legislative framework of the traditional use case

• Public/National authorities assign spectrum licenses to TV operations
• Public/National authorities assign levels of license fees for public broadcasting
• Public/National authorities mandate responsibility of primary and secondary distribution
• Public/National authorities set legislative environment on broadcasting advertising
• Rating and censorship by public/national authorities (program contents)

2.5 Business model of the traditional use case

• Program production
• Secondary distribution services
• Advertisements
• Off-line program re-distribution
• Syndicated broadcasting programs (e.g., news, sports program)

3. Description of the digital use case

3.1 Functions of the digital use case

• Use of Electronic Program Guide to navigate the programs
• Multimedia broadcasting services
• Data broadcasting services
• Return channel providing some elements of interactivity.
• PVR based anytime, searching, and filtering services
• Personalized services

3.2 Value chain players in the digital use case

• Program creators
• Program/content owners
• Broadcasters
• Application software providers
• Network providers
• Advertisers
• End user
• Broadcasting equipment manufacturers

3.3 Technologies used in the digital use case

• Digital content authoring
• Right management and protection on broadcasting contents
• Set Top Box
  • VLSI
  • OS
  • Middleware
  • application software
• Data broadcasting
• Return channel technology (e.g., T-Commerce, VOD, quiz, voting, etc.)
• Integrated transmission framework technology (e.g., convergence between communications and broadcasts, integration of broadcasting transmission media)
  • DIA (Digital Item Adaptation, e.g. transcoding, etc.)
  • QoS control
  • Scalable coding

3.4 Cost/benefits for value chain players

3.5 Difficulties of current deployments

It takes a quite long transition period from traditional broadcasting environment to new one, even though deployments have being increased recently.

4. Hurdles

The following can be considered as hurdles of primary importance:

• Lack of profitable business models in spite of vast initial investment
• Interoperable metadata for various value chain players (different players used different metadata, either standard or internal and/or for different applications, transmission media, including off-line media).
• Interoperable rights management and protection technologies
• Interoperability among terrestrial, satellite, cable broadcasting for multimedia content delivery and use
• Difficulty of seamless content delivery across broadcasting and telecommunications network

5. Relationship with other use cases

• Satellite pay TV
• Network-based video services
• Home user

6. Reference

[1] TV-Anytime Forum, http://www.tv-anytime.org