The New Outlook for TV and IT

 　The broadcasting business world released a report entitled, “The Potential for Information Technology to Completely Change the Face of Broadcasting.”

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　 The concept of fusing broadcasting and communications was discussed over 20 years ago. Ten years ago, the IT business wanted broadcasting stations, which was a surprise. But there was no great movement. Broadcasting stations holds the twin strengths of an abundance of programs and reliable radio waves. Thus, those in the broadcasting world basically felt that there was no need to upset those strengths or change their business.

     Thereafter, IT took hold in the world, and circumstances made an about-face. Japanese officials likewise squared off against the foreign invasion of YouTube, Apple TV, and other smart TV services. But with VOD (Video On Demand), the video transmission market is expanding as smartphones also promulgate. Here lies opportunity. 

    Commercial broadcasts are also becoming common in IT interfaces. The strategy this time is to utilize strengths. I have worked as chairman on the “Commercial Broadcast Internet and Digital Relationship Business Project” for the past four years. What I share with persons in the broadcasting industry is my sense that Japanese smart TV services will not gain by opposing American smart TV services, but rather by leading. 

    However, when prospectively considering 2020 we must not be limited to past concerns. That year will overtake the simple matter of broadcasting programs using communications and arrive at a new stage. There are three points.

     First, the environmental changes caused by smartification. The proportionment of large-screen TVs as the main device and smartphones as subsidiary was reversed, and in 2020 smartphones may become the number one screen. Or screens may stretch beyond 8K, around the whole town, rousing Olympic crowds with a live atmosphere. A living room object like TV may give way to devices in de-living space.

    Second, internationalization. We can expect pressure to show hospitality to visitors from around the world by making it so that any country’s smartphones can show Olympic broadcasts. If Wi-Fi viewing is a given, there is also a possibility for broadcasting to become the IP base. This means content will be internationally distributed, and there will be greater and greater drive for the overseas expansion of TV.

    Third, de-smartification. The real wave of the IoT (Internet of Things) and AI (Artificial Intelligence) is on its way. Broadcasting will probably not be unrelated. What sorts of information and data will be transmitted by watches, glasses, and other wearables; automobiles; robots; etc.? How can we best make use of data from sensors embedded in downtown areas and the countless drones flying about? This has the potential to completely reshape the future of broadcasting.

   Further, AI can operate for both audiences and broadcast stations. The AI agent in my smartphone will select programs I ought to see. AI is beginning to perform automatic compositions, but let’s also see AI that generates videos. Surely AI will also perform news compilation. This is still a fantasy now, but the potential of technology will likely be more visible in 2020.

    Terrestrial digital broadcasting has been established, but after it links with the Internet, its role will once again be called into question. It is a question of finding the resolve to pioneer new fields rather than protecting assets.