Subscription Television - Research Paper Example

Subscription Television Identification of Key Competitors Although subscription television has become a preferred choice for many people, it is evident that it receives a measure of competition in the industry. There are different levels of competitors with each level, offering a variable measure of impact on subscription television. In order to understand the key competitors to subscription television, it is important to begin by highlighting the direct competitors. Although the numerous free to air television channels do not measure up to subscription television, they offer a level of competition.

The direct key competitors are majorly streaming video subscriptions such as, Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu. Other technological devices, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, TV and modern tablets are also becoming key direct competitors (Nikolinakos 67). The second level of competitors includes product category competitors which prove to be more specific. These include basic cable, on demand internet television, satellite television, which comprises of either a dish or a direct TV and finally, video on demand such as VUDU (Cohen 78).

The third category of the key competitors comprises of generic competitors such as movies, theatres, online gaming, online plays, videos and concerts. Evaluation of the Key Competitors The direct competitors offer clients subscriptions to a desirable number of television channels and unlimited content such as movies. This is the case with streaming video subscriptions. Theses streaming subscriptions have proven to be primary competitors to subscription television considering they offer their clients a diverse range of content which is not limited to television shows.

This is likely to make them a preference over subscription television. This has been the case in the recent past as streaming video subscriptions have registered a remarkable percentage of sales. Evidently, the likes of Netflix and Hulu have proved to be primary competitors to subscription television because of the package they offer to clients. In the case of specific competitors, the potential of basic cable television and satellite television, which do not pose subscriptions to the users, offer a measurable level of competition (Grimme 64).

These are highly accessible through antennae and may prove to be a preferable choice for some users depending on their television needs.Graph showing some of the monthly subscription competitors and pay per view in the UK. Web. http://www.theguardian.com/media-network/media-network-blog/2013/dec/19/film-tv-video-streaming-stream-ukGraph showing the increasing streaming video subscriptions in the UK. Web. http://money.msn.com/top-stocks/post.aspx?post=fcd502e6-bce9-4744-a609-7df3b467c277With the increasing access to the internet, a remarkable percentage of the population prefers to watch their favourable television channels online as long as they have an internet connection.

With the cheap packages of internet connection, these numbers of users has greatly increased in the recent past. They also have access to online videos limiting their need to pay a monthly subscription for television channels. Notably, generic competitors have proven to offer subscription television a high level of competition with the increasing preference for cinemas, theatres, and online gaming (Great Britain 89). Easy access to the internet has diverted a high number of young people to online gaming and they no longer exhibit interest in subscription television.

Moreover, a percentage of people may still prefer videos, plays and concerts and this may pose a level of completion of the subscription television. All the above levels of competitors described explain why subscription television still needs to develop strategies of maintaining their clients by offering desirable packages. Work CitedCohen, Ellen S. Broadband Internet: Access, Regulation, and Policy. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2007. Print.Great Britain. The Ownership of the News: 1st Report of Session 2007-08.

London: Stationery Office, 2008. Print.Grimme, Katharina. Digital Television Standardization and Strategies. Boston: Artech House, 2001. Print.Nikolinakos, Nikos. Eu Competition Law and Regulation in the Converging Telecommunications, Media and It-Sectors. The Hague: Kluwer Law International, 2006. Print.