The future of the music industry is rarely far from the headlines as the digital revolution has swept through the sector. CD sales are dwindling and the downloading of single track rather than whole albums seems to be the future. Free file-sharing sites continue to cause headaches to record labels and artists complain that they’re not getting enough money through sales. The main revenue streams are now live performances, which has seen a dramatic rise in ticket prices and an increase in touring and festival dates for many acts. (more…)

It has been over a year now since 3D TV sets first arrived in Britain. At launch there was very limited content, so what has happened since?

Initially, sales were slow to pick up, but have quickly risen to reach more than 200,000 sets. Whilst there are a range of solutions utilising glasses,the biggest challenge for manufacturers is to quickly bring glasses-free 3D devices to market. Around the world, the big news in Japan recently has been the 52inches Dimenco glasses-free 3D screen.  Toshiba has launched glasses-free devices in Europe as well, It will be interesting to see how other manufacturers tackle this challenge.

So what’s going to happen over the rest of the year? Broadcasters apparently rate 3D content as their lowest priority, so a lack of programming looks set to continue. Rapid TV News reported that 3D TV sales are increasing in China, and now account for 10% of all LCD TV sales. But will the rest of the world pick up on the trend soon?
3DTV will be discussed at one of the focus sessions during Intellect’s conference on the Future of Digital Entertainment on the 05 July 2011. The discussion will be led by Tom Morrod, Head of TV at IHS Screen Digest and taking part will be Keith Evans, MD Panasonic, Thomas Wrede VP Reception Systems, SES Astra and John Cassy, Channel Director, Sky 3D.

‘Owning a slice of the new value chain’ will the first topic debated at this year’s Intellect CE conference on 05 July 2011.

In the digital age, companies need to re-think how they deliver value to their customers. Traditionally, retailers were adding value through customer services, giving advice on the products and direct sales. These days, consumer can choose to do all of that online, cutting the ‘middleman’ out. However, the role is not being eliminated completely – it is changing and companies need to realise quickly how to adapt to those changes. Those that ‘make the right moves can tap into $10 billion in revenue opportunities made possible by the growth of digital electronic entertainment. Those that don’t will be left on the sidelines.’ (Source: http://www.instat.com/promos/10/IN1004828WHT.asp)

When thinking of what electronically brings value to your product of service, a wide range of opportunities emerge. You may develop new business models that generate revenues from previously undiscovered sources. Companies need to ask themselves how to improve the customer experience if they choose to buy online. What would bring the best possible value?
This new value chain is still largely uncharted territory. If you have experience of re-structuring your business to take advantage of digital opportunities – please share you tips here!
 

Technorati Tags: Consumer Electronics, customer services, digital electronic entertainment, retailers

One of the focus sessions at Intellect’s CE conference, will concentrate on ultra-mobile devices. We will discuss prolific growth of tablets and smartphones and their role in shaping the future of digital entertainment. Let’s start an online debate on smartphones first!

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In its Future of digital terrestrial broadcasting paper, Intellect reported that the completion of digital switchover in the UK will most likely be a success. The vast majority of homes in the UK are already enjoying digital television, but what does it really mean for consumers? Because digital information is sent compressed, you can enjoy higher quality of pictures and sound, as well as more channels. Homes with TVs connected to the internet can benefit from more interactive features, such as online voting in live TV shows.

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Technorati Tags: 3D HD., digital cinema, digital entertainment, digital television, Future of digital terrestrial broadcasting, Google, high-speed broadband, Kiran Adimatyam, YouTube

One of the breakout sessions at this year’s ‘The Future of Digital Entertainment’ Intellect conference will cover the topic of Smart TV. This focus session will look at the key industry challenges and opportunities in a multi-platform world increasingly shaped by new players and richer consumer interaction.

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Technorati Tags: Facebook, Smart TV, Social TV, Twitter

It is quite obvious why start-ups want to work with corporations. For most, it’s all about the exit strategy, and large organisations have the resources to incorporate small, but very talented businesses. On the other side – what are the benefits for corporations? (more…)

Technorati Tags: : collaboration, corporations, entrepreneurs, investment, start-ups

Digital Radio has received a lot of press last year with the coalition government backing digital radio (e.g. New British Government Backs Digital Radio, Digital switchover: keep FM radio, say voters).

Government documented two criteria for digital radio switchover success within the Digital Economy Act. Listening via digital services must reach 50% of all listening, and DAB coverage must match FM coverage. When this is likely to be achieved?

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Technorati Tags: BBC journalist, digital entertainment, digital radio, DRUK CEO, Ford Ennals, Global Radio, Head of Creative Technology, Leslie Burrage, Nick Higham, Nick Piggot, Roberts Radio CEO

One of the debate topics at the upcoming Intellect’s CE conference ‘The Future of Digital Entertainment’ will be ‘Understanding the connected consumer’.

A connected consumer is someone actively using broadband, spending $200 annually online, have visited social networks, consumed or created some form of digital content (music, videos etc.) and cannot be defined geographically or economically. They frequency share bookmarks, use tags, widgets, RSS feeds and Twitter. What does it mean for your business?

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Technorati Tags: CE conference, connected consumer, digital entertainment