A new study from Juniper Research has found that consumer spend on digital content will reach $180 billion next year, up by nearly 30% on last year’s figure of just under $140 billion.
The research said that revenue growth would primarily be driven by continued migration to streamed video services, with broadcasters and telco operators increasingly deploying their own on-demand and IPTV offerings to compete with OTT (Over the Top) players.
According to the report, telcos had also recognised the pressing need to invest in attractive, original content to compete with the award-winning shows developed by Netflix and Amazon. It cited the example of Spain’s Telefonica, which is to produce 8 to 10 TV series per year from 2017, while both BT and AT&T have indicated that they might commission original drama or entertainment in the near future.
Meanwhile, several telcos have partnered with leading OTTs to offer consumers bundled ‘zero-rated’ content that does not impact on monthly data allowances.
The research said that more operators might consider enhancing the relationship through the acquisition of a strategic stake in content providers, as with TeliaSonera’s investment in Spotify. The research also highlighted Twitter’s recent acquisition of the online rights for NFL as the first move by an OTT player into the sporting arena, arguing that other players could follow suit.
Although, according to research author, Dr Windsor Holden, “the spiralling cost of most premium sporting rights means that bidders for exclusive live rights for must now pay several hundred million dollars per season. With most streamed audiences well under a million, this is likely to deter online-only players in the short and medium term.”
