IPTV is quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to enjoy television as people cut the cord and look for alternatives to cable. Today we’ll be looking at how IPTV works and addressing the question of what IPTV is.
What Is IPTV?
It’s best to start with the basics and address what IPTV is.
“IPTV” stands for “Internet Protocol Television,” with the “IP” referring to the same thing as an IP address or VOIP program like Skype, which is “Voice Over Internet Protocol.”
IPTV transfers content through the internet rather than the light pulses or radio waves used in cable and satellite.
These services also tend to offer video-on-demand services rather than standard TV schedules like cable and satellite TV.
Streaming services such as Hulu and Netflix are a form of IPTV.
How IPTV Works
IPTV comes in three forms of video content. Let’s quickly look at each one and address how they work on your reliable internet connection.
Video-on-Demand (VOD)
Video-on-demand streaming is what the name implies. You get the videos you want whenever you want. Hulu and Netflix are examples of VOD services.
There are no limits on how long you can view the content outside of the provider’s TV rights.
Time-Shifted Media
Time-shifted media refers to “catch-up” TV services like iPlayer. Most online video platforms have some form of catch-up platform they let users access, so they don’t need to watch TV as it airs.
The main difference between time-shifted media and VOD services is that the content on the platform has a much more limited shelf-life.
Most networks have up to one or two weeks’ worth of programs.
You won’t be able to watch the first season of a show that’s about to air its tenth season, for example. If you could, then you’d be dealing with Video on Demand (otherwise known as VoD).
Live IPTV
Live IPTV is similar to broadcasting live television, allowing you to watch shows and movies as they air. Most people watch sporting events through live internet services.
There are only a few differences between IPTV live TV channels and standard cable TV, outside of watching programs over the internet rather than through traditional means.
IPTV Services
IPTV services are getting bigger and more popular than ever before, but they are still considered to be a relatively niche market.
Services such as Hulu and Netflix offer plenty of TV programs, assuming they can get the rights to them, and video-on-demand services are growing rapidly.
The other forms of IPTV showcase how IPTV could change the way that people watch television forever. It is also these forms that have yet to become truly popular.
Catch-up TV is becoming more popular by the day. BBC, ITV, and Channel 4 have apps that let you catch up on the shows you missed without the hassle of recording them through a TiVo box or other recording device.
Live IPTV is becoming more popular thanks to services such as Epicstream and NOW TV, but it still hasn’t gained the popularity of VOD platforms.
The sports sector has seen the most widespread adoption of live broadcasts via IPTV. There are many subscription services and packages for sports you can watch on your TV, computer, or other devices at your leisure.
We expect it’s only a matter of time before the rest of the television world catches up and embraces the power of live IPTV.
How to Start an IPTV Service
There are even some IPTV services that allow people to create their own live-streaming or VOD services, such as TV shows and films. These services make it easy to showcase your skills and passions or offer advice to people worldwide.
If you like the sound of running an IPTV service, we recommend you connect with one of those service providers.
Dedicated providers have the bandwidth, distribution methods, and server capacity you need to get started.
You can start your service by choosing a provider and plan and uploading your content.
You can select what to upload based on what you know and the kind of people you want to attract.
We’ve seen people start IPTV services for magic tricks, dancing, staying in shape, watching movies with others, and anything else you could imagine.
IPTV is your ticket to sharing anything you want with the world in real time.
One of the few downsides of running your service is that you have to film all of the content yourself. The good news is that the service provider takes it all from there. Think of it like creating your own version of Netflix for subscribers.
What is the Future of IPTV?
It’s tough to say how many people are using IPTV right now. The variety of providers, content options, and pirated content makes it difficult to track everything.
With that said, there’s no doubt that IPTV is a market on the rise.
Grand View Research recently estimated the market would be worth over 67.6 USD billion by the year 2027.
This growth will likely be supported by an increase in demand for IPTV services and the quality of those services.
Grand View predicts massive growth in subscription-based IPTV providers during the next decade, suggesting services like Hulu Live and TVPlayer will continue to gain popularity.
You can already see the growth of IPTV for yourself. Major outlets and TV providers are starting to offer proprietary streaming services to compete with Amazon Prime and Netflix.
Even traditional TV providers are bundling time-shifted media into apps and websites. Some cable providers allow people to watch content on their phones.
Now that people can create the best IPTV services and channel themselves to share content, the variety of IPTV services is only going to grow.
Viewers will no longer be limited to what broadcasters show; they’ll have instant access to anything they want to watch.
One thing we can say for sure about IPTV is that it represents the future of TV as a whole.