Bill Gates spoke this week about IPTV at the World Economic Forum in Davos giving his vision of where the technology is going, saying it will completely change our viewing habits in the next five years. We’re still waiting for the crossover in the content of television and internet, although YouTube has made a few crossover stars along the way (as one of Shiny Media’s writers experienced firsthand).
While some blogs pointed out this wasn’t a revolutionary suggestion, Gates also raised the point that the technology would change the face of advertising as well as entertainment. The content that viewers choose to download will allow advertisers to target groups and, eventually, individuals with ruthless efficiency. As to who will become the main provider of IPTV, bets are on. Key competitors include Sky, Google, Microsoft, BT, the BBC and NTL.
