Infrastructure The idea for TV Everywhere may have originated with pay-TV networks looking for a way to distribute their programs online without undercutting carriage fees from cable MSOs, but network operators have lately been getting serious about online distribution too, at least behind the scenes.
Comcast’s Project Inifinity is becoming a model for cable MSOs looking to build video-centric CDNs on top of their traditional cable plant in anticipation of expanding broadband distribution, while traditional CDN vendors rollout new platforms optimized for video delivery. Last week, Verizon FiOS announced it is deploying a new scalable TVE solution in conjunction with Turner Networks (TBS, TNT). Key technology assists came from Adobe and FreeWheel.
Those sorts of infrastructure investments suggest operators are serious about moving beyond the test phase for authenticated broadband distribution to commercial deployment.
Further reading:
IPTV: Standing on the Brink of Explosive Growth
How Online Video Affects the Time Warner Cable-Disney Retransmission Spat