From CES 2007 and Operator Hearings
April 2007
In Japan, convergence of telecommunications and broadcasting triggered a lot of debates in 2006, but concrete arrangements were mostly left to further discussions. In the meanwhile, there was exponential progress of the convergence in the United States. The author looks at the future developments in both countries and why the gap between Japan and the U.S. has expanded so widely.
In the 2007 International CES held in January, telecommunications carriers participated in the exhibition of various styles focusing on moving images. Computers and peripherals competing in processing capabilities, IPTV that has made a full-scale entry into the broadcasting business, home networks utilizing more and more digitized consumer electronics, mobile terminals capable of receiving moving images, and other products all featured a same keyword: moving images.
Meanwhile, broadcasting business has also started full-scale service based on transmission of moving images. All prime-time popular programs have become available online, which generated positive outcomes including higher ratings, higher aggregated reaches of TV and online services, and increased revenue from pay-services.
The difference between the U.S. and Japan significantly attributes to the difference in evaluation of merits caused by cooperation among the media and design capacity to achieve the convergence although we should not ignore the fact that there is a difference in basic conditions such as copyright system. It is indispensable for Japanese businesses to take more flexible and bold strategies in order to respond to a new era.