Ericsson launches Media Vision 2020

Highlights

• How the winning players will capitalize on the US$750bn opportunity of 2020
• Study covers six critical 'game changing' trends and catalysts for the industry
• Linear/Live and on-demand consumption of TV reaches parity by 2020

In the year 2020, the global landscape will include 9 billion people, over 8 billion mobile broadband subscriptions and 1.5 billion homes with digital television, with analogue almost history. The vision of the Networked Society will be realised, as more than 50 billion connected devices, of which 15 billion will be video-enabled, will rely on mobile IP (internet protocol) networks dominated by video.

Advanced markets

Included in the vision are key beliefs and assertions, the timing and application of which will vary based on infrastructure and economic development in different regions. In advanced markets, such as Western Europe and the USA, by 2020 it is foreseen that:
1. The Networked Society is realised - 15 billion video-enabled devices are connected to broadband IP, transforming the consumption experience of TV. Mobile broadband is essential in all regions and fundamental in emerging regions.
2. Bundling of content and services remains the ultimate opportunity - consumers will value simplicity and perceive value in a single bill. However, the essential need for broadband will enable separation of propositions from broadband access and content
3. OTT delivery for all - Delivery of content over-the-top becomes applicable to all TV service providers or content owners as a way of reaching consumers, and enhancing established broadcast delivery platforms
4. On-demand has risen to parity with live/linear - IP will have accelerated the ongoing shift of consumers to embrace the convenience of on-demand access to content to 50 percent of their consumption.
5. New entrants bring new investment - The acceleration of broadband capacity and penetration, along with ever more connected devices potentially enables a powerful device or social ecosystem to become a premium TV aggregator
6. Market revenues have grown to US$750bn - up from US$530bn in 2013. The distribution of revenues however shifts between content owners, broadcasters, TV service providers and network providers, especially as brands adapt advertising focus.

Rules of TV changing

"The future is not certain, but the direction and trends are clear. The rules of TV are changing and it is essential for our customers to evaluate their strategies for success," says Per Borgklint, senior VP and head of business unit support solutions, Ericsson. "The hope is that by sharing our Media Vision 2020 and the Game Changers, and offering our unique insights, capabilities and leadership that the media industry overall will achieve success and delight consumers well into the future. We have combined our broad understanding and expertise of the TV market, alongside extensive, quantifiable research to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving ecosystem."

Game changer drivers

In order to enable the industry players to leverage this vision and build strategies for success to 2020, Ericsson has distilled what it calls the Game Changers that are the most influential drivers and enablers of disruption, opportunity and change and will be highlighted in a series of reports throughout 2014, include:
• 'Forever evolving experience'
• 'The IP imperative
• 'Brand-casting'
• 'Changing consumption models and bundles'
• 'Cloud and web approach to TV'
• 'New money, new players'

On Wednesday 9 April 2014 from 1230-1330, the company will lead a panel of TV industry experts at an NAB Super Session titled 'Television 2020 - Welcome to the future'.