IBC 2008 opens as broadcasters face potential problems on multiple fronts. Their customers are demanding more and more content available on a more diverse set of platforms. This change in user habits could lead to a fundamental shift in the basics of broadcasting, forcing companies throughout the content change to seek new hardware and software solutions.

These changes also are changing the nature of competition, as telecommunications companies are offerings a television alternative to traditional satellite and cable providers. For the pay-TV operators, this means more effort will be required to grab a share of the market. For the distributors, it means they will have to figure out how to serve multiple customers.

The chief culprit driving this change in the broadcasting business seems to be the growth of mobile delivery options. Numerous companies will come to IBC touting their capabilities in this area, with more than 100 listing themselves under the “mobile TV” banner, while the “mobile broadcasting equipment” and “mobile components” categories have nearly 100 companies combined. Some of those may be repeats, but it would still be a daunting task to try and visit every exhibitor and come away with a comprehensive grasp on the future of the market.

Another area driving a change in the broadcasting business — and possibly more diverse and confusing than mobile — is IP. I think the category is so new and daunting, that even the show organizers have not fully grasped it, as the only exhibit category is “IPTV,” with only around 60 companies. But it is more likely that companies throughout the various halls will be more than willing to discuss their IP broadcasting efforts.

And HD remains the elusive business opportunity. More than 250 companies list themselves under the “HDTV” banner, quite a large number for a niche that has yet to firmly establish itself. Perhaps this will be the year that HD implementation and revenues pick up speed, but that refrain is not new.

There will be a lot going on at IBC. Check with us each day for a roundup of the hottest topics and events, and also check out our IBC 2008 blog at —  https://www.satellitetoday.com/blog/.