Streaming content killing TV - Ericsson claims, while Pivot takes content to campuses

Streaming video content is gaining ground globally on broadcast TV with a 25% increase in the number of consumers prepared to pay for access to content on any device.

The new global research from Ericsson’s annual ‘ConsumerLab TV & Media Report’ has found that streaming video is now almost level with traditional TV watching, with 75% of consumers watching streamed content several times a week, compared to 77% who watch scheduled broadcast TV programming several times a week.

Binge viewing of multiple episodes of a TV is also accelerating in addition to viewers moving en masse to subscription-based video on demand (S-VOD) services such as Netflix and Hulu.

The research revealed that 56% of those who pay for subscription-based video on demand services prefer all episodes of a TV series to be available at once.

Innovative IPTV and content providers are seizing the opportunities in audience viewing shifts by delivering content in ways that appeal to the streaming centric consumer.

In the U.S. Participant Media’s television network Pivot has launched a new streaming platform branded Philo that streams its content to university campuses across the United States.

Philo is a next-generation television solution that leverages the existing IP networks on campuses and the existing contracts with satellite providers to securely stream high-quality television on an authenticated basis to student laptops, tablets, smartphones and TVs across participating campuses.

“As a network for Millennials, we are very excited to now be carried on Philo’s system, which is made for our core audience,” said Pivot’s EVP, Distribution, Stephanie Ruyle.

Adding an Australian flavour, part of the programming slate, which will be launched in September includes Australian comedy series Please Like Me. In addition to watching Pivot’s programming, Pivot viewers are encouraged to get involved online via its affiliated social action platform and socially conscious news site, TakePart.com.

CombiTel Group is launching Omniscreen Pilot, a similar managed platform providing personalised television services in Australia and New Zealand in partnership with various service providers.

It presents a unique offering to a highly targeted audience which burgeoning networks like the NBN and nascent IPTV providers should take heed of in terms of pairing content with audiences over readily available infrastructure.