Digital TV means changes.............................
techserver.com
Digital TV may foster change in consumer services
Copyright c 1997 Nando.net
CAMBRIDGE, England - The weekly chore of visiting the supermarket could become obsolete for millions of Britons once they enter the world of digital television, a conference was told Friday.
"Digital could change for ever the way millions conduct their business," Peter van Gelder, managing director of British Interactive Broadcasting (BIB), told TV industry bosses at the Royal Television Society's biennial convention.
Van Gelder said existing retail giants would be challenged by new companies offering viewers the chance to shop, bank and book their holidays from home.
"In 10 years time, if not sooner, new champions will be born by being able to grasp the enormous potential of this new channel to market," said van Gelder.
BIB has been created by BSkyB, British Telecommunications PLC, Midland Bank and Matsushita of Japan to develop interactive services to offer alongside BSkyB's new 200-channel digital satellite TV service, which is scheduled for launch in spring 1998.
BIB plans a 600 million pound investment to promote and subsidise the set-top boxes required to receive the new services. The package of box, remote control and digital satellite dish will retail for 199 pounds when they go on the market early next year.
Van Gelder said the company aimed to make rapid progress as satellite households upgrade their analogue systems to digital and new users are attracted. BIB is hoping to break even within five years.
The aim was to overtake Internet use within 18 months, he said. Britain currently has some three million Internet users.
Van Gelder said the company was in talks with leading retailers, high street banks and travel companies to make their goods and services available on-line. "We're talking to whoever is prepared to be a part of this," he said.
BIB also aims to be on digital cable and digital terrestrial platforms when they are launched in 1998.
"We want to make this the most effective and efficient means of bringing services to consumers," he said.
By Reuters.
Copyright c 1997 Nando.net |
