In the year 2020, the global landscape will include 9 billion people, over 8 billion mobile broadband subscriptions and 1.5 billion homes with digital television, with analogue almost history.
The vision of the Networked Society will be realised as more than 50 billion connected devices, of which 15 billion will be video-enabled, will rely on mobile IP (internet protocol) networks dominated by video.
This is the picture of a new era of entertainment and connectivity that Ericsson is painting in its new Media Vision 2020.
Ericsson’s strategic view of the future maps how the TV and media industry will evolve over the next six years and shows that the TV industry will be worth $750 billion by 2020.
The Media Vision 2020 project is based on more than six months of research and brings together the efforts of hundreds of people from across the global Ericsson organisation. It includes statistical data, detailed surveys, and interviews with individuals, focus groups, industry participants and consumers.
Included in the vision are key beliefs and assertions, the timing and application of which will vary based on infrastructure and economic development in different regions. In advanced markets, by 2020 Ericsson predicts that:
- The Networked Society will be realised – 15 billion video-enabled devices will be connected to broadband IP, transforming the consumption experience of TV.
- Bundling of content and services will remain a huge opportunity – Consumers will value simplicity and perceive value in a single bill. However, the essential need for broadband will enable separation of propositions from broadband access and content
- OTT delivery for all – Delivery of content over-the-top will become applicable to all TV service providers or content owners as a way of reaching consumers, and enhancing established broadcast delivery platforms
- On-demand has risen to parity with live/linear – IP will have accelerated the ongoing shift of consumers to embrace the convenience of on-demand access to content to 50 percent of their consumption.
- New entrants will bring new investment – The acceleration of broadband capacity and penetration, along with ever more connected devices could enable a powerful device or social ecosystem to become a premium TV aggregator
- Market revenues will grown to $750bn – up from $530bn in 2013. The distribution of revenues will shift between content owners, broadcasters, TV service providers and network providers, especially as brands adapt their advertising focus.
“The future is not certain, but the direction and trends are clear,” said Per Borgklint, Senior Vice President and Head of Business Unit Support Solutions, Ericsson. “The rules of TV are changing and it is essential for our customers to evaluate their strategies for success,” “The hope is that by sharing our Media Vision 2020 and the Game Changers, and offering our truly unique insights, capabilities and leadership that the media industry overall will achieve success and delight consumers well into the future. We have combined our broad understanding and expertise of the TV market, alongside extensive, quantifiable research to help our customers address the challenges and opportunities in this rapidly evolving ecosystem.”
