Note: The Telco/Cable closed loop IPTV systems are designed to keep viewers locked into the companies interface via their own set-top box software (TV browser if you will). The cable companies have been developing these features since the late 80's to bring more advertising and home shopping under their control via proprietary interfaces. Viewer subscriptions are a less significant source of revenue than the potential of controlling the flow of advertising, product sales and news and information. IPTV has simply evolved as a cheaper delivery system that delivers more channels via a closed intranet network.

from: PC World [1]

What’s ‘IPTV’? And Who Owns the Term?

From PC World, August 23, 2007

A handful of readers have chided us recently for trotting out the term “IPTV” without a properly defining it. In short, IPTV means “Internet Protocol Television.”

But something interesting has happened to the term “IPTV.” The telephone companies, when they decided to sell video services over phone networks, co-opted the term and made it their own. This happened before Joost was even a glimmer in Niklas Zennstrom’s eye.

As such, IPTV usually refers to video delivered over closed, telco-owned fiber optic or hybrid fiber-optic/copper networks using Internet Protocol. IPTV usually does not refer to services like Joost or YouTube, which are delivered over the Public Internet. IPTV reaches the user via a “closed” IP network (also called a Walled Garden) that is separate and distinct from the Public Internet.

Why does IPTV have to exist in a closed network rather than on the Public Internet in order to be called IPTV? Why can’t services like VeohTV and Joost be called IPTV?

I think the “IPTV” term will eventually be taken back from the Telcos and applied more generally. As Internet video services get access to more content and benefit from better broadband speeds to improve picture quality, they’ll become known as providers of IPTV.