The last several years have seen the UK television industry transform from delivery via traditional cable and satellite systems to internet protocol television services. Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) is a delivery method that is growing in popularity and has emerged as a revolutionary way for UK viewers to watch television over the internet. The viewers, themselves, need only a simple set-top box and a broadband internet connection for seamless service—IPTV doesn’t even require a physical TV. Viewers can watch through any device of their choosing: computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. With IPTV, the programming is sent to the viewer directly over the internet via a 1’s and 0’s “signal,” but the content itself is still “TV” programming (in whatever terms that might mean to you).
The key benefit of IPTV is flexibility. It’s a delivery system that bears the appearance of many “TV Everywhere” services, like those offered by HBO or Comcast. The flexibility of IPTV allows for live and on-demand content to be accessed through a wide array of devices. These same services can also be streamed on a growing number of smart televisions. In contrast, linear television look and behaves in almost the same way it did when it commanded the appearance of an early-2000s reality. The content is broken up into channels, many of which exist in an app-like interface that was once the realm of old pay TV set-top boxes. And the pay part of pay TV wasn’t what it was cracked up to be, either.
In the UK, viewers can choose from many distinctive IPTV services. Sky Q is a leader in ambition and content among these services. Although it somewhat straddles the worlds of traditional satellite delivery and internet protocol, it is at heart an IPTV offering. And what an offering it is! The service packs in tons of effective and engaging features for viewers—from live content to a snake pit of great on-demand TV to a single-search interface. If viewers want to find something to watch, they can be assured it will be a simple, easy task on the Sky Q platform.
BT TV combines live television with an almost unlimited on-demand library that contains plenty of content options from a variety of streaming services to entice viewers. Sports enthusiasts will also find much to love about BT TV, as it gives them what is arguably the best live sports viewing experience in the UK. And yet, in the fiercely competitive world of UK television services, how does BT TV stack up against its most important rivals: Amazon Prime Video and Netflix? Both not only provide viewers week-in-week-out with an endless stream of engrossing, binge-worthy content, but also claim significant portions of the UK “entertainment landscape.”
While there are many useful traits of IPTV, UK users must be cognizant of its legality. Although the service might seem legitimate, this can be misleading. Some IPTV providers offer the service without the necessary lawful licenses required to comply with UK law. If you are found watching the content that your IPTV provider hasn’t secured a license for, you are effectively watching pirated content and could theoretically face legal repercussions similar to what you might encounter if you were caught with a bag of pirated DVDs. Of course, the chances of being caught are pretty slim, and the legal side of things is mostly just a heads-up so you can make an informed decision about which providers to use and which to avoid.
In the United Kingdom, people are moving from traditional television to Internet Protocol television. Although standard television may be the most “common” way for audiences to interact with moving images, IPTV and actual tele-visual content are only likely to grow as broadband connections get even better and more people go online throughout the day.
The programming options for people who use IPTV are huge and only getting huger. Still, you have to know the legal environment in which you operate to enjoy your moving images without fear—and here’s our look at that environment.