How often have you heard the phrase ‘content is king’? That may be so but don’t you just get the feeling that there’s too much choice out there. You may be able to record programmes at will but there often isn’t the time to watch them all back. And even user-generated content loses its appeal when it’s been sat on the shelf for a while.

Now don’t get me wrong. Here at WebsEdge we’re duly proud of all the programming we make. But in my view we’re all making it hard work for consumers to find what they want to watch when they want it.

Yesterday, I came across this recent NewTeeVee post which cites data from an online survey covering the general public’s views on IPTV. NewTeeVee summarizes the data suggesting that people access online video content in numerous ways, but none of which are quite satisfactory.

Viewers are looking for videos they’ll enjoy; content that is relevant and suited to their specific interests. Unfortunately, users are not yet satisfied with the ability to find the specific content they want.

The survey results show over half (56%) of online viewers find their videos by browsing sites, while around 1/3 find them through search engines. Although NewTeeVee seemed surprised by this difference, to me it makes sense. IPTV has begun its evolution, but the viewers aren’t yet ready to change their habits.

The ability to search for videos is something that viewers have never had in a conventional television environment. Browsing websites is basically the online equivalent of channel surfing. There has never been a way to sit on the couch and search for your interests and now that this exists online, people are having trouble adapting.

Part of IPTV’s innovation will be not only the evolution of the way people watch TV, but the way the find their programmes. For IPTV to blossom, viewers’ habits will begin to evolve as well, enabling a more fully functional spectrum of television.Nike News