Alternative broadband providers and utility companies are shaping the early IPTV (Internet Protocol TV) market, mainly using video over broadband phone lines, or cable networks...

These early adopters have unleashed a technology that is now causing widespread disruption across the telecoms marketplace and is starting to impact on the future strategies of the traditonal TV market.

But why is this happening? Broadband telcos are scrambling to make extra revenues as so much telephony switches to Internet systems like Skype and local-loop unbundling puts pressure on prices.

So is TV going to be the great white hope of the telecoms business? What are going to be the opportunities for content providers in this new era?

• Will film studios switch to dealing with British Telecom and AOL instead of BSkyB and Warner Cinemas?
• Will the barriers come down for indiependent TV production houses to create and distribute their material direct to the home?
• Are the major online media players like Yahoo!, MSN and Google poised to launch services aimed directly at the box in the living room?

This afternoon event from NMK will present the latest thinking from a panel of experts, featuring debate and networking afterwards.

Chaired by Mike Butcher, journalist & digital media consultant, mbites.com

KEYNOTE:

Dr William Cooper - Founder & Principal Consultant, informitv.com
A specialist in interactive media services across multiple platforms, Cooper advises clients ranging from start-up companies to major corporations, providing a practical operational perspective. As head of interactive at BBC Broadcast, he operationally managed the successful launch and delivery of landmark interactive services on satellite, terrestrial and cable television across multiple channels and territories. Previously, as head of new media operations, he oversaw the exponential growth of the BBC’s online services. Prior to that, as product manager for the new media division of the Press Association, William led the launch of online syndication services, leading to the creation of a successful standalone business, subsequently acquired by Orange for £98 million.

Followed by Q & A

SESSION 1: IPTV – The "million channel" EPG, the broadcasters and the GYM Club.

What form will IPTV services take? And how will we navigate the myriad services available? What are the big online search firms like Google, Yahoo, MSN (GYM) planning in the realm of video into the living room?

The ISP Model: Broadband Internet TV
Mark Taylor, Technology Research Consultant, France Telecom

Interactive IPTV Case Study
Rob Walk - Managing Partner, NovaRising

Q & A

SESSION 2: IPTV – Commercial opportunities for SMEs/indie TV production houses

Digital Broadcasters and their Strategies
Scott Gronmark - Interactive Media Consultant, Scott Gronmark Associates

HypTV Case Study
Bob Palmer - CEO and Creative Director, Hyp TV

Opportunities for Start-ups in the IPTV World
Alexander Cameron - Digital TX Limited

Q & A

About the Speakers:

Chair: Mike Butcher, mbites
In 1994 Mike started writing about the business of web sites for Newspaper Focus magazine. In 1996 he joined New Media Age, then a newsletter, and in 1998 took over as editor, re-launching it from a 14 page title into a full-blown magazine. In 2000 Mike helped launch the US-owned Industry Standard magazine in London. In the media slump of 2001 he went freelance. Mike has since written for The Financial Times, The Times, The Irish Times, The Guardian, Broadcast, Marketing Week, New Media Age and Media Week among others. He even produced a documentary about broadband in Asia. He has also launched or relaunched web sites for Media Week, UK Press Gazette, NMA, Mobile Content News, Paid Content and (most recently) Netimperative or consulted on others. Over the last ten years Mike has talked about media, technology, the Internet and mobiles on BBC News and radio, Sky News, Channel 4, GMTV, CNBC and Bloomberg. Current projects include journalism and professional blogging, speaking at events about digital and mobile media, podcasting and working with media companies.

Dr William Cooper, Founder and principal consultant, informitv.com
Specialising in interactive media services across multiple platforms, William advises clients ranging from start-up companies to major corporations, providing a practical perspective based on extensive industry experience. As head of interactive at BBC Broadcast, he operationally managed the successful launch and delivery of landmark interactive services on satellite, terrestrial and cable television across multiple channels and territories. Previously, as head of new media operations, he oversaw the exponential growth of the BBC’s online services. He is co-author of IPTV: Broadband meets broadcast—The network television revolution.

Mark Taylor, Technology Research Consultant, France Telecom
Mark Taylor has worked in the digital media industry since 1995. He joined Freeserve in 2000 and launched the UK's first consumer broadband portal, as well as Freeserve's Internet TV and WAP portals. He now works for Orange as a Technology Research Consultant, helping to develop a European strategy for managing disruptive innovation. Areas of expertise include: emerging consumer behaviour, open-source technologies, convergence, personalisation and digital services.

Rob Walk, Managing Director, NovaRising
Rob is the Managing Partner of the interactive agency NovaRising that has been working with interactive TV since 2000 and IPTV since 2004. NovaRising are responsible for several of the innovations seen on the platforms today. They are actively consulting and delivering on several client projects in the IPTV area from scoping services to design, usability and marketing initiatives for the platforms. Rob has been working with the web since it sprang up in the early 90's. From his roots as a developer Rob has moved through project management and international marketing to set-up and run one of the most dynamic agencies in the UK, and one which is consistently working at the fore-front of the latest emerging technologies for its clients.

Scott Gronmark, Interactive Media Consultant, Scott Gronmark Associates
After stints as a publisher, writer and television news and current affairs producer, Scott Gronmark joined BBC Online in 1997 as Homepage Editor, before moving to Interactive TV, where he oversaw the launch of 24/7 services on all digital TV platforms. A year later he took charge of all BBC programme-related interactivity, acting as head of production, strategy and commissioning. During his four years as Head of Interactive TV, the BBC reached more viewers on more platforms with more services than any other interactive TV broadcaster in the world to date, winning two BAFTAs and many other awards in the process. Scott left the BBC in early 2004 to form his own consultancy, Scott Gronmark Associates. The SGA team advises commercial and public sector clients on interactive TV, PVR, IPTV and VOD strategy and services. In addition, Scott conducts workshops and training sessions, writes for several journals, and regularly chairs new media conferences.

Bob Palmer, CEO and Creative Director, HYPtv
Bob Palmer is CEO & Creative Director of the recently-launched HYPtv, the creative, bite-sized content aggregator and distributor. Bob spent around 10 years in ad agencies as an art director and creative group head before setting up an award-winning creative consultancy in 1992, working with both agencies and clients direct, and specialising in brand-building and new product development. He has a wealth of experience across all media, from TV & radio to press and direct marketing and, in more recent years, digital media. Bob has been integral in national launches for Tesco Clubcard and Microsoft Windows and has created numerous film posters for multi-national distributors.

Alexander Cameron, Digital TX Limited
Alexander Cameron provides specialist technical, operational and commercial expertise to network operators and content rights holders across the world to help them make the most of the opportunities generated by IPTV and 'triple play'. He is a charismatic speaker, irreverent evangelist and technological visionary who also writes regularly for both the mainstream and trade press.

Report on the event.