Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

With the launch of TiVo, and plans to eventually have every customer on TiVo, I was wondering about the future of both Catch Up TV and On Demand.

With the ability to create wish lists, series links, remote recording and the thumbs up and down system through time your TiVo box should insure that you never miss a programme on TV that you'd really like to watch. If TiVo essentially records everything you want it to, and then all programmes you'll probably like, why would Virgin continue to offer Catch Up and On Demand? Surely they could stop both services and use the money they'd save on more linear channels?

If TiVo reaches it's full potential, what other services might Virgin be able to drop? I think Picturebox could go too.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

I doubt Virgin would stop on demand. They've already hinted that they don't consider the future of Television to be in linear channels. On demand (if handled correctly) is one thing that Virgin can use as a major selling point against Sky. While Sky do have an on-demand system (which is apparently good), you still need to live within a couple of miles of your exchange to use it.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Very true, I'm sure I've seen a similar quote myself.

I was just a little confused as to the future value of catch up / on demand due to the arrival of TiVo. It appears TiVo, if used correctly, would make both services obsolete.

I suppose the future doesn't have to be in linear channels, TiVo has the potential to allow customers to view content online directly from the supplier.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

I've used MLBTV HD on my Internet connected TV and while the quality wasn't too bad it will never replace linear HD.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

On Demand does seem popular looking at the figures released with Virgin Media: TiVo® Service changing telly habits?

At the end for On Demand it gives:

484 million total On Demand views in H1 2011, 55% of the 2010 total
258 million hours watched On Demand in H1 2011, 60% of the 2010 total

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Without Catchup TV how do I watch a programme that my work colleagues talk about the next day, assuming that my TIVO doesn't think its something I'd be interested in?

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

There is no denying that on demand is incredibly popular. The viewing figures are staggering.

The point I'm making is will they be so popular in say 5 to 8 years time when the majority of customers should be on TiVo? If TiVo is continually recording your favourite programmes for you, and new programmes you'll probably like, why would you ever need to use On Demand again?

---------- Post added at 22:49 ---------- Previous post was at 22:48 ----------

Then TiVo has failed:erm: It has not picked up your viewing habits and let you down badly. If however all the hype about TiVo is true, this is a problem you will not have to worry about.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

You might be right about Catch Up, but On Demand is much more than that. It lets you watch things that aren't on linear TV (or were on before you got a TiVo).

TV Choice, Movies, Adult, Music, 3D, archive sports, the really obscure stuff in More Free TV... And when you've watched all that, start on YouTube, Spotify or whatever. It's all about choice.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

TiVo would only make catchup/ondemand obsolete if it had unlimited storage, it dosnt but the on demand servers storage can be upgraded continuously.

Regards

John.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

I'll have to come back to that in 5 years time, I might have a TiVo by then ;) Personally I only use it occasionally in the bedroom where we have a VHD box.

Unless the programme is of the type that Toady would not normally watch, but then you have to hope it's on a channel covered by On Demand :)

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Yeah I think I might have been a little narrow minded about On Demand. I included On Demand because I've noticed most of the programmes on offer from providers such as The Discovery Channel, National Geographic and the History Channel are all repeats. In most cases I managed to catch the programme when is was originally broadcast on linear TV months earlier. Having TiVo would probably make this an even more common occurrence for me. I don't expect this to be the case for everyone, but for me On Demand doesn't really offer too much in the way of unseen content.

---------- Post added at 23:20 ---------- Previous post was at 23:14 ----------

True John but TiVo 1Tb does have the capacity to store 500 hours of SD content, that's 20 days worth of continual TV playback:shocked: In about 5 years time Virgin might be offering TiVo boxes with 5 or even 10Tb hard drives.

---------- Post added at 23:21 ---------- Previous post was at 23:20 ----------

Or if it was on ITV2 Toady is laughing as it'll be repeated at least 10 times during the next 7 days:D In fact nowadays on almost all channels most popular programmes are repeated at some point either the next day or within 7 days. Sometimes you'll even get the programme repeated for the hard of hearing with the woman at the bottom of the screen providing sign language.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

I've been thinking, and was wondering what are your ideas of this?

Since with cable, you must be connected to the network to receive TV channels, on-demand content and even recordings, then surely the following is possible?

First off, you will have a TiVo without a hard drive, or any cable box for that matter, but since TiVo is USP for VM why not...

On the Mini-guide or TV Guide, choose a program to record.

The recording will then be received at the head end which will have numerous hard drives with quotas allocated to each customer for example 500GB, 1TB, 2TB etc.
The recording will then store on these hard drives instead of the customers (since they do not have one to begin with).

When the recording has complete, the customer can then view the recording as if it were on-demand.

Developers could then maybe make it a bit more clever; if a customer has made a recording that another customer has made, and the program is identical in every way possible (same channel, same episode), the headend will then only keep one copy of this thus saving space. Once all customers have deleted the recordings, it will be removed all together, whereas if one customer removes it, it will still be available for the other customer who recorded it.

Over time, the space could be upgraded without the need for a box swap. Simply VM could charge a fee for more space, or upgrade like it currently does with broadband.

Not sure if all of it will be possible, but what are your thoughts?
Feel free to add to it if you have any of your own ideas or improvements on mine :)

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Remote PVRs already exist.

However they're not without problems. Cablevision in the US had a pretty big legal battle over them. Rights holders are against the idea as it reduces the need for separate on demand rights.

The one recording for many subscribers is also something that is a legal minefield, the legalities are that you need a separate recording for each viewer.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Back to the original point, another aspect is that people with non-PVR TiVos will probably use more VOD, especially Catch Up, because finding content will be easier. A third of VM customers don't use VOD at all at the moment, so there is scope for growth.

Re: Does Catch Up TV / On Demand Have A Future?
 

Good point