Murdoch could use DirecTV to launch interactive TV services

[James_F]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/535/3818406.html

In Britain, Murdoch's 6.1 million Sky Digital subscribers can choose from eight different camera angles while watching live broadcasts of soccer matches, shop using the remote control and bet on horse races. New remote controls include keypads for text messaging and new set-top boxes include personal video recorders to pause live TV and record programs on a computer disk. The boxes also can serve as game consoles using wireless game pads.

Efforts to introduce such services in the United States have failed. DirecTV has more than 6 million set-top boxes able to support interactive television, but offerings have been slim.

Some analysts say Murdoch could use his expertise in marketing interactive services abroad to make them more popular here.

"Murdoch is the most enthusiastic supporter of interactive television [ITV] on the face of the Earth," said Phillip Swann, president and publisher of Tvpredictions.com. "Unlike wide-eyed advocates who want to sell pizzas and Jennifer Aniston sweaters, Murdoch knows that ITV must be simple and it works best when it appeals to base desires."

[AJ2086]

I was checking out B Sky B's British offerings and they have an ENTIRE channel about Text Messaging!

[waydwolf]

    Interactive implied reasonable interactivity, which implies two way communications which implies reasonable speed of communications. What exactly is the upstream path going to be for this???

    The good old phone line that everyone and his brother whines about connecting and can go no faster than any other dial-up connection.

    Broadband? Through DSL that DirecTV dumped(not a colocator either, they aquired an ISP parter business that worked with Rhythms and Covad)? Through cable modem from the dreaded cable company?

    Upstream transmission contemporary with the interactive events is needed and Lord Murdoch can't change physics.

 

[Jacob S]

Sounds like we are in for some changes then it seems when it comes to interactive services. If Rupert does this to DirecTv i wonder what Charlie will do with Dish Network as a result to compete?

[Cheyenne]

Uh-Oh... There goes the neighborhood.
Interactive "TV" will be used for ad's/ on-line shopping.
I can't wait !

[ramcm7]

But I need those services now! I NEED to watch the remainder of the West Indies - Australia Test cricket series from the stumps camera on Sky Sports Extra. Doesn't everybody?
:dance:

[UnnDunn]

Originally posted by waydwolf
    Interactive implied reasonable interactivity, which implies two way communications which implies reasonable speed of communications. What exactly is the upstream path going to be for this???

    The good old phone line that everyone and his brother whines about connecting and can go no faster than any other dial-up connection.

    Broadband? Through DSL that DirecTV dumped(not a colocator either, they aquired an ISP parter business that worked with Rhythms and Covad)? Through cable modem from the dreaded cable company?

    Upstream transmission contemporary with the interactive events is needed and Lord Murdoch can't change physics.

  Think of it like surfing the web. Your upstream speed can be dog-slow and it won't make a blind bit of difference as long as the downstream speed is fast. The upstream channel will only be used for things like registering your vote in polls or sending short, SMS-style text messages.

[UnnDunn]

Originally posted by ramcm7
But I need those services now! I NEED to watch the remainder of the West Indies - Australia Test cricket series from the stumps camera on Sky Sports Extra. Doesn't everybody?
:dance: I dunno about you, but I need Formula One Digital Plus to make its way stateside. If only to see the cockpit cam with pit radio.

[Cheyenne]

This push technology works well for standard web surfing.
Do not even think about it for gaming.
Latency applies here.