''Television and your favourite channel is going on the internet''. So said Jeff Bewkes, chairman and CEO of TimeWarner Inc. to Maria Bartiromo on CNBC (DStv 410) at the 16th Annual Cable Show in Chicago, where the big theme this year is ''mobility''.
What Jeff Bewkes says is very important, because when it comes to television, where America goes, the rest of the world follows because broadcasters and pay TV platforms want the content product and channels and adapt to how the production, distribution and licensing ecosystem of the vast American television industry is rapidly changing.
Already in South Africa MultiChoice has been testing its extended BoxOffice service for its DStv on Demand services, with sources telling me last month its rolling out soon and is extending its DStv Mobile offering, while SouthTel will launch a true pay-per-view on demand service within months as well.
'It's going on demand,'' said Jeff Bewkes. ''You'll be able to see all your favourite shows, whenever you want, on whatever device you want.'' He called the American TV business ''healthy'' and ''strong'' especially when it comes to pay television. ''Think of all the people and the growing number of people who have tablets, who have handheld devices, laptops; who can watch video programming wherever they go - that is what is turning on the television industry. There is a tremendous amount of economic vitality when the television industry goes on the internet because what is often overlooked is that it increases the value of all television. Whether it's an iPad, whether it's a laptop, whether it's a TV, basically it's all the same. Basically every device is becoming a television. It just makes it that more powerful.''
''All these new devices have helped the television industry figure out here is a way to make our programming easier to find and get it easier to you. All of these great networks and channels are now household names but they're no longer just in the United States. All over the world people are watching these kinds of American networks - and which is great - they're inventing their own versions in France and Thailand of things which started here in the pay TV industry. The internet is a great development that's got everybody excited and rightfully so and there is strength, vitality and innovation in the television business.''
What does the TV industry look like in five years Maria Bartiromo asked Jeff Bewkes. ''More interactive,'' he said. ''So when you wake up and leave your house, your favourite TV channels and your favourite shows are going to be right there for you. You'll be able to see anyone you want, pause it, move it from device to device, you'll be able to share it with your friends, you'll be able to watch series and leave comments. Then a friend can watch it at a different time in a different place and you're comment will come when they get to the scene when you made it. It's just all becoming more and more connected where we can share the media that we care about.''
