This IDC study examines existing TV services for annual and medium-term strategic planning. Its purpose is to help marketers, business analysts, and product managers validate decisions and make course corrections if necessary. The document includes an industry update and subscription and spending forecasts. Guidance focuses on creative business development opportunities that not only differentiate TV platforms but also leverage talent in acquired media — namely experience with vetting, promotion, and DRM.

"The best defence is a good offence. For years, the print, music, and movie industries have been under siege of the Web. Yet TV service providers have very unique consumer relationships that, if built upon with taste, could make TV subscriptions irreplaceable, keeping substitution manageable and countering Apple's war chest," writes Tim Tang, analyst, Consumer Communications and Mobile Computing, at IDC Canada.