Interesting comments from Microsoft’s UK managing director of consumer business Ashley Highfield about the future of TV, he warned that the TV industry could "face its iTunes moment” in two or three years if the industry does not embrace the web. I think the point he is making is that the TV industry could loose control of their product like the music industry did if they go down the paid download modal like iTunes and don’t focus on web streaming.  I can see his point, I can see the DVR will dying out over time as more TV content becomes available on demand. What isn’t mentioned is any of Microsoft’s TV efforts like the new MSN video services in the UK

Highfield, the the managing director of consumer and online at Microsoft UK, said he believed the reluctance advertisers feel to advertise on sites such as Facebook will soon be a "non-issue", putting more pressure on broadcasters’ advertising revenues.

"Once this happens the shift of spending from TV to web will accelerate even more," he said, giving the Futureview address at the MediaGuardian Edinburgh International Television Festival today.

"So realistically I think the industry has about two to three years to adapt or face its iTunes moment. And it will take at least that long for media brands to build credible, truly digital brands. But, importantly, I do believe TV does have a small two to three year window in which to respond."

via Endadget HD

0 thoughts on “Microsoft: TV must avoid "iTunes moment"”
  1. this is an interesting view, but I suspect slightly flawed. It assumes that everyone will get their content from the net…..but isn’t this based on a model of youth? As we now have more pensioners than youngsters, then how will they adapt to streaming TV on a PC.

  2. i have said it for a long time but i doubt it will ever be heard but for what its worth the answer to your question EZ – how will non Pc users or understanders adopt to streaming Tv on a Pc is

    Media Centre becomes the front end not the hidden away package, with refinements to Media Centre and ever increasing demands in consumer needs it is well positioned or becoming better positioned to adopt a more up front position, imagine a Pc that only has Media Centre as its GUI, thats the answer to the question

  3. So your average 60 year old, who is just about there with the new freeview box and may have access to a DVR is about to stump up for a PC and network access, so that they can watch TV? I don’t thin so :o)

Leave a Reply