Broadcasters realize impact of cybercasting

More than 200 senior broadcasters from the Asia-Pacific region and around the world gathered in Manila this week to discuss, among other matters, the Internet and the opportunities it offers broadcasters.

High on the agenda for the annual general assembly of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) was a discussion on cybercasting and its impact on broadcasting.

The Internet continues to develop at a phenomenal pace. Audio via the Internet is already a reality and many broadcasters worldwide are providing such services. Video delivery is in its infancy but the existing quality problems will soon be overcome.

Once that is achieved, it will be possible not only to use the Internet as an independent medium for delivery of content but to combine it with traditional television broadcasting to create a much richer media experience. For broadcasters, the opportunities will include wholly new forms of service.

At the same time, the increasing popularity of the Internet could affect consumer expectations profoundly. For example, viewing preferences will possibly shift from real time to personal time, and more and more people will demand some form of interactivity to enhance the experience of sports broadcasting. How will the traditional broadcasters be able to meet such demands?

The ABU chose this subject as its "special topic" this year, to explore these questions and provide information about the Internet – its capabilities, potential and limitations.

ABU is a professional association of broadcasting organizations in the region and has over 100 members in about 50 countries. It was founded in 1964 and has its secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The ABU region covers two-fifths of the world’s circumference and contains nearly two-thirds of its population.

Members of the ABU are national broadcasting systems and national associations of such networks. Other organizations associated with broadcasting may become ABU affiliates, of which there are 35 at present.

It is one of eight similar regional broadcasting unions in the world.