Internet protocol televisioin (IPTV)

The official definition approved by the International Telecommunication Union focus group on IPTV (ITU-T FG IPTV) is as follows:
"IPTV is defined as multimedia services such as television/video/audio/text/graphics/data delivered over IP based networks managed to provide the required level of quality of service and experience, security, interactivity and reliability."
 
Another official and more detailed definition of IPTV is the one given by Alliance fore telecommunications industry solutions (ATIS) IPTV Exploratory Group on 2005:
"IPTV is defined as the secure and reliable delivery to subscribers of entertainment video and related services. These services may include, for example, Live TV, Video On Demand (VOD) and interactive tv (iTV). These services are delivered across an access agnostic, packet switched network that employs the IP protocol to transport the audio, video and control signals. In contrast to video over the public Internet, with IPTV deployments, network security and performance are tightly managed to ensure a superior entertainment experience, resulting in a compelling business environment for content providers, advertisers and customers alike."

A system where internet television services are delivered using the architecture and networking methods of internet protocol suite over a packet-switched network infrastructure. e.g.  the internet and broadband internet access networks instead of being delivered through traditional radio frequency broadcast, satellite signal, and cable television (CATV) formats IPTV services may be classified into three main groups:

• live television  with or without interactivity related to the current TV show;
• time-shifted programming: catch-up TV (replays a TV show that was broadcast hours or days ago), start-over TV (replays the current TV show from its beginning);
• video on demand (VOD): browse a catalog of videos, not related to TV programming.

IPTV is distinguished from general Internet-based or web-based multimedia services by its on-going standardization process and preferential deployment scenarios in subscriber-based telecommunications networks with high-speed access channels into end-user premises via set-top boxes or other customer-premises equipment.



I think IPTV has changed tv alot because it has made things alot more available to people making some shows perhaps more popular because people are being able to fit them into their schedule instead of having to wait till its shown on television.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/01_january/14/iplayer.shtml - this shows how popular things such as iplayer are.

Who stands to benefit the most?

Tv producers and other people involved in the production of shows such as distributors and advertisers etc. stand to benefit from iptv because it brings in more viewings bringing in more money for the show it also increases its popularity which brings in even more viewings. However viewers have alot more freedom now scheduling there own shows but it only goes that far, it depends where your standing both are benefited in different ways. 

I think that Producers and benefit the most from this.