The set-top box and over-the-top online video sector is already a very crowded one. There is Apple TV, the Roku box, Vudu, Netflix, and Amazon already competing in the space to name but a few. And ZillionTV hopes to achieve the unthinkable and make space for itself.
Still Emerging From The Gloom
For what is still considered an emerging market which isn’t likely to reach its full potential for many years to come online video is certainly offering consumers a range of options. The number of ways of watching video and television content over the Internet is numerous and growing all the time.
While online video sites on the Web are a niche unto themselves (although just as crowded), there are also a number of options for people who want to consumer video and television in their living rooms using an Broadband connection and either a set-top box or other Internet-enabled device.
ZillionTV Revealed
ZillionTV first came to everyone’s attention back in March of this year. A big write-up in The L.A. Times ended with the newspaper describing it as “the next generation of video on demand.”
ZillionTV was heralded as a new set-top box service with some high-profile backers and a industry veteran in charge in the shape of Mitch Berman.
Something Different?
What differentiated ZillionTV from the rest was a more measured approach to the marketplace.
This came from deals with ISPs that will see bandwidth set aside for the service and a novel approach to revenue with a basic free, ad-supported service, limited time rentals, or purchases giving permanent streaming options.
Delayed & Changing
Now, although the plan to launch with ISPs and have multiple options for viewing options is still in place, The L.A. Times reports that the launch has been delayed. What’s more, ZillionTV will be available directly to consumers in areas where no ISP deals have been secured.
The full service now won’t be available until the second half of 2010, although trials are said to be happening in thousands of homes already.
Conclusions
I had high hopes for ZillionTV on first hearing about it. But a huge delay, possibly amounting to a year or more, and the loss of at least some of what made the service different from the rest, has me starting to doubt whether ZillionTV will be able to fare any better than the many other competitors already vying for control of the sector.
