A collective fit of jealousy is permeating in the TV broadcasting business and where it is going to end is anybody's guess. Free-to-air broadcasters are looking with envy at pay-TV operators' revenue models; these are holding up better in the recession than their own advertising-challenged ones. Meanwhile, device makers, and specifically TV manufacturers, are coveting the recurring revenue models of broadcasters and pay-TV operators, whether from advertising or subscriptions, or both. These giants, led by Sony and LG, are trying to add value at a difficult time. The sale of flat-screen TVs has been good but wouldn't it be nice to add an ongoing revenue stream to the one-time buy?
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