Executive Q&A: McGlade: Convergence, IPTV Gaining Momentum

Internet Pro-tocol (IP) TV and high-definition (HD) TV and their potential impact on the satellite industry and telecommunications world as a whole were among the hot topics at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam. Satellite News caught up with Intelsat CEO David McGlade, who shared his views on what effect these trends and others are having on the world largest Fixed Satellite Services company. McGlade: IPTV gives telcos renewed vitality and the ability to stay in the game. Video is a required application, and mobile video will be a basic requirement sooner than we know. IPTV will have most impact where there isn't much cross ownership between cable and telco providers. ... So-called 'telco IPTV' is really just the first stage of a larger trend. There is clearly a good market for companies such as Broadstream that help telephone companies meet consumer demand for competitive entertainment packages. McGlade: By next year's show I think the market will have clear examples of where IPTV has gained measurable traction in the marketplace. I believe we will also see service providers experimenting with more and more personalized content and interactivity. The diversity of content is a growing and significant trend that will affect our business. I would also expect that next year we will spend more time discussing non-linear programming. The growing trend will be taking any piece of programming and delivering it anywhere, in any format--while meeting all of the copyright and security requirements. IP formatting is required to make that happen.