AS INTERNET and user generated content migrate onto TVs and other video-capable devices, interactive program guides must transform into content and service discovery guides (CSDGs) to keep up with savvy consumers, says a new report from In-Stat.
While several companies currently offer content discovery tools for service providers and device manufacturers, the market research firms predicts that as standards begin to define the interfaces, opportunities will be created for a wide range of entrants.
"A truly valuable CSDG will be personalized so that it can automatically limit choices to those that are likely to fit a particular end-user’s habits," In-Stat analyst Gerry Kaufhold said in a press release. "It will also have to be intelligent, to be able to search out new things that fit users’ viewing patterns, and it will have to constantly evolve to keep up with new content, products, services, features, functions, and applications."
In its report called Global Interactive Program Guides and Content Discovery, In-Stat also found that:
– The IPG market has three revenue segments: one-time licensing fees, recurring fees to update guide data, and advertising. It forecasts that recurring program guide fees will approach $850 million by 2013.
– The market is holding its own in spite of the current economic situation. Europe will be a key growth market for all types of guides.
– Guides used in complex networked applications will need to be DLNA-compliant to ‘discover’ content from in-home devices, and move it among network devices.
