Hybrid Set Top Boxes – Cost Effective TV Broadcaster Expansion

Combining TV broadcast and Internet TV may be the key solution for TV broadcasters to increase revenues, reduce service development costs, and to develop sticky customers. Vanessa Vigar from NetGem explained to me at the IBC show that using hybrid STBs (broadcast and Internet access) can allow broadcasters to expand their system and services without significant cost. Having the ability to provide additional services through the Internet or IP networks can allow TV broadcasters to offer new services such as push or streaming VOD and PVR even if their existing systems are not designed or capable of these services. They can provide them to new geographic regions while using their existing content management systems.