INTELLIGENCE FROM THE BROADBAND ECONOMY

INTERACTING WITH iTV

The recent shakeup in the cable industry has left multiple systems operators with an abundance of new problems to contend with (see story on page 8). The last thing an MSO like the new AT&T/Comcast needs is a nascent technology to nurture. But according to Jupiter Research, Comcast, its cable brethren and their satellite counterparts will face just that with interactive TV. The new-fangled living-room technology has been in the dreams of companies such as Microsoft for years now but so far has failed to take off. Jupiter, however, believes 2002 is the year for iTV, estimating it will penetrate 17% of iTV capable households (defined as any home with a service equipped to send and receive digital signals to a TV or TV peripheral). According to Jupiter, the lumbering cable industry will lead the way, servicing more than half of the estimated 45.5 million iTV subscribers in 2005.
— Kevin Fitchard