Types of subscription television

Subscription television can offer more than the passive viewing experience of free-to-air television. There are several different types of subscription television services based on the level of control viewers have over the programming appearing on their television.

This ranges from basic broadcast services, which mimic free-to-air channels, to true video-on-demand, where customers can select to watch the programs they want, when they want to.

Often, subscription services offer a selection of different service types.

• Multichannel or Broadcast services

  These terms refer to services that act exactly like free-to-air television. Viewers can select from different channels and watch what is on, but have no ability to select or interact with the programs.

  Even with this basic service, there are benefits to subscription television over free-to-air television. Subscribers gain access to a variety of channels, such as CNN and MTV , they cannot otherwise access from free-to-air television stations. They can also gain access to cultural or sporting programs not broadcast on free-to-air television.

• Pay-per-view (PPV) services

  In this form of subscription television, viewers can select specific programming; however, they must watch it at set screening times. This is often used for screening live events and generally the viewer pays extra to access the programming.

• True video-on-demand (TVOD)

  True video-on-demand services give viewers total control over what they watch, when they watch, and the ability to pause, fast-forward or rewind programs just like a DVD.

  Viewers can select programs from a vast library and have them sent to their television, like having a video store in your lounge room. The programs remain available for a set period of time during which they can be watched over and over.

  In Australia, TransACT is the only provider of true video-on-demand services, offering TransACT cable subscribers the ability to view movies, cartoons, specialist sporting programs and other content on-demand.

  Learn more about true video-on-demand (TVOD)

• Near video-on-demand (NVOD)

  In these services, a single program is screened on many different channels, each at a slightly different starting time – commonly 15 or 30 minutes apart. This allows viewers to almost always tune into a program as it is starting by choosing the right channel.

  However, unlike true video-on-demand, viewers cannot control the broadcast once it starts. They cannot pause, fast-forward or rewind and only get to select from a very limited range of programs at any time.

• Quasi video-on-demand (QVOD)

  These services require a certain number of viewers to choose to view a program. Once enough have signed-up, the program will screen.

  Again, unlike true video-on-demand, viewers cannot control the broadcast once it starts.

• Interactive television

  Interactive television, like true video on-demand, gives viewers the ability to control what occurs on the television screen.

  However, the concept goes much further than simply fast-forwarding and rewinding programs. The goal is to allow viewers to interact and participate with programs and other viewers through the television.

  Some of the applications possible with interactive television include buying the clothes worn by movie and soap opera stars, or voting on the ending of a program. There is also the ability to text chat with other viewers during a program, place bets on sports or even play games and surf the internet in one window while watching a television program in another.

  Learn more about interactive television

Generally, the more choice and control a subscription television service gives viewers, the more difficult it is to implement.

As viewers have the most control over true video on-demand and interactive television systems, these are the most sophisticated and difficult to build.

In these systems, there needs to be the ability both for the service provider to send signals to each viewer individually, and for each individual viewer to send signals back to the service provider.

Other types of subscription television, including pay-per-view and near video-on-demand, only require a one-way signal to be sent from the provider to the viewer’s home.