“In distribution, we have worldwide fragmentation of hybrid broadcasting systems, with no resolution in sight. The Ultra HD situation looks better because the basic elements have now been agreed worldwide," Deltenre said. "But, there is still a risk of scuppering when it comes to the outer layers of the broadcasting system itself. Will we ever see a common worldwide broadcasting system for Ultra HD? It is a dream, anyway. In production and contribution, you have the integration of different systems from different manufacturers in digital workflows – particular for news and sports. The EBU-AMWA (Advanced Media Workflow Association) joint FIMS (Framework for Interoperable Media Service) project provides a first specification which is addressing precisely these interoperability challenges in digital workflows.”

   In terms of what impact Ultra HD may have in the overall broadcast market, Deltenre adds, “Ultra-HD is a longer-term activity. NHK is leading here the developments. Market drivers are the consumer industry and gradually the professional industry will follow. A number of technical developments and standards are still needed. Pay-TV operators might use ultra-HD as a premium channel.”

   While the talk of Ultra HD has certainly been at the center of many conversations here, the future of 3-D TV, the poster child of the broadcast industry not that long ago is open to question. Deltenre believes the technology is not a game changer. "There has been a clear content gap, and the need for glasses is still a drawback. But new development in the display market with glasses-less displays will help, as will the possibility for 2-D service compatible distribution. But good content is required and without this it will remain a niche. 3-D TV is not a game changer."

   SES CCO Ferdinand Kayser also shared insights into the potential of the ultra HD market, a likely hot topic at the show. Ultra HD could spell great news for the satellite industry given how bandwidth hungry it is. While the 2012 Olympics just finished, Kayser said he believes the next Olympics in Rio could be a tipping point for Ultra HD. He said that he also expects Ultra HD broadcasts to start taking place in Europe over the next four years. He adds, “I expect in four years time there will be ultra-HD broadcasts in Europe. The first 4K broadcast may not necessarily take place in the United States. But, it is obviously a possibility. Pay-TV broadcasters will lead the way here.”

   While painting an optimistic picture of Ultra HD, it remains to be seen whether 3-D TV can have the impact many thought it would have a few years ago. Kayser made a point of saying that “3-D TV is not dead”, but no mention of 3-D TV was made in the presentation unlike ultra HD, HD and others.

   Discovery Networks International President and CEO Mark Hollinger said that while company was one the early pioneers of 3-D TV broadcasts in the United States, it appears unlikely the broadcaster will launch any standalone 3-D TV channels.

   “I would say on the international side, our expectations were that this was going to be a slower type of build than HD was. We needed to have more of a longer term perspective. Internationally, we have not launched 3-D TV channels. We have supplied 3-D content to our operator partners for 3-D TV on demand. Our programming works naturally on 3-D TV. I would say it is not rolling out quickly, but we were not anticipating it to roll out quickly. I would not call it disappointing.”

   From a business perspective, the key for the broadcaster is still working on the regulatory side so it can generate the revenues in some markets that it feels it is entitled too. “We have more regulatory challenges internationally than we do in the United States. In a lot of markets internationally, pay-TV does not get its fair share of the ad sales market based on its share of viewing. There will be a moment where there will be a tipping point and that will start to happen. But, pay-TV is still under-represented in some of the ad markets. The other big question is whether pay-TV is going to mature more quickly in some markets than others,” adds Hollinger.