The WOW! Buzz

Over the last couple of years we have seen a shift in how some users view video. Today, “on demand” video is available from many sources–cable based VOD and prerecorded DVR content, as well as several newer sources. Hulu®, YouTube®, Netflix® as well as many network providers allow streaming of popular programs over the internet as an alternative to watching a linear broadcast.

At WOW! this phenomenon has caused us to rethink how we provide video to our valued customers.  It appears many viewers, particularly the younger generation, will shift from linear viewing habits to an on demand model. Fewer people will schedule themselves to be available when a program first airs, and instead will watch programs at their convenience .

To respond to this new paradigm, our company plans to make more programming available on demand.  To facilitate this model we need to reduce the amount of bandwidth on our network used by linear broadcast services. For example if nobody is viewing a particular program can we shut it off and use that bandwidth for other services? Would anyone even notice? It’s like the old saying “if a tree falls in the woods and no one is around does it make a sound?” Or does the fridge light stay on after you close the door? Who cares as long as it’s on when I open it, right? Research indicates that 80% of viewers are watching 20% of available linear content. By offering more programming in an on demand environment we can increase the efficiency of our network and offer additional services.

Specifically, by utilizing IP based mpeg 4 streams that are only invoked by demand rather than the conventional linear mpeg 2 streams that are “nailed up”, video can be sent only when and where it is requested.  All this happens in an environment that is transparent to the user who just knows the “light is on when the fridge is open”, so to speak.  The customer experience remains the same high quality digital picture and sound to which one is accustomed with WOW!

As stated previously, internet video providers are getting better every day and are increasing in popularity, but it is difficult for them to produce a high quality picture to your television screen. Our customer research shows that most users today still want their video services provided on their television, not on a PC in their office. We expect to be able to integrate web based and network based services together, allowing our customers to get what content they want when they want it from a variety of sources, all with the crystal clear picture and sound you have come to expect from us as your video provider.  More on this to come—Stay tuned!