The media landscape in Pakistan has gone through many changes. Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) continues to exert an influence on the manner of watching programs and getting the required information. This change is a big cause of media traditions contained in the whole country.
The Rise of IPTV in Pakistan
It gives subscribers the opportunity to send out TV signals with a broadband connection such as DSL and fiber optics, not by the use of communications satellites. In the past few years, IPTV has been multitextured in Pakistan for a number of reasons.
- Improved internet infrastructure and speeds.
- Growing smartphone and smart TV adoption.
- Increased demand for customized and on-demand content.
- Competitive pricing compared to cable packages.
Its increasing penetration is compelling more Pakistanis to embrace the service, which in turn is losing media etiquette to some extent.
Changing Viewing Habits
With IPTV literally transforming the way people in Pakistan are viewing media or at least, now, it is more preferred that people access media resources online in that country, thus, can they do it om demand and if so they can skip.
On-Demand Viewing
It’s not just the case of the individual having to follow a particular schedule when it comes to accessing the desired TV programs. The IPTV technology enables account holders to watch programs of their choice at any time during the day. Users, especially those from young and working age groups, are the ones who prioritize this benefit of the system.
Multi-Device Access
Furthermore, the technology offers an auto-seamless record for all gadgets that are relatively new to the market when it comes to media consumption. Users can watch it at home on their smart tv then take it on the go using their smartphones or tablets.
Personalized Content
The IPTV companies and their premises are using smart algorithms to perform a deep analysis of customer’s viewing habits and hence recommending these contents based on the profile of the users. This approach not only brings the individuals close to the content but also makes them boost discoverability for other material as well.
Impact on Traditional Media
The current trends in IPTV subscription is causing significant implications in the traditional medium broadcasting service in Pakistan:
Cable Television
Instead of only watching cable channels, many households are saying that they are able to survive without the cable subscriptions by funding themselves to acquire IPTV services. Given the scenario of IPTV that offers a vast catalogue of television programs, cable providers are struggling to win over customers as they provide exclusivity and low prices, which win over customers.
Broadcast TV
Although linear TV channels are seeing declining viewership as people gradually switch to on-demand IPTV content, however, in direct contrast to that, the trend has increased advertising revenues for broadcast networks.
Print Media
For newspapers and magazines, the situation remains to be as challenging as people are still to use the print version, however, the increasing number of free or paid digital platforms are making more people draw away from traditional media such as newspapers or magazines and turn to digital news sources. Still, IPTV platforms make digital content accessible most of the time.
Adapting to the New Landscape
The aim of Zimbabwean media houses is the recognition of the IPTV era to stay relevant:
- Set up their own streaming platforms
- Make partnership with IPTV providers to offer content
- Make unique online content
- Exploring interactive and immersive media experiences
The Role of Dream Stream IPTV
Dream Stream IPTV can be considered to be the main factor resulting from the media revolution in Pakistan. Through the platform, they offer a wide range of media, both local and international, so that people can choose what they like. User friendliness and stunning streaming make Dream Stream IPTV be the foresight of media consumption in entire surfaces.
Benefits for Pakistani Consumers
The move towards IPTV in Pakistan is creating a number of positives for media consumers in Pakistan too.
- Larger content of different genres.
- More affordable entertainment choices.
- Enjoy the best visual quality of 1080HD at the lowest rate.
- Access to international programming
- Ability to watch content on-the-go
Challenges and Considerations
In spite of its many advantages, there are still hitches that come with IPTV.
Internet Reliability
IPTV is not a very stable system that needs a stable internet connection. Some areas in Pakistan have no infrastructure that would allow for the provision of these services. It makes people less dependent on the information to the internet and gets home the democratic dimension of different sources of information from cable TVs to the internet, for example.
Digital Divide
In addition to the problems yet to be solved in terms of the access to diverse content, that could deepen the gap among the urban and rural places where this service is less offered there is also another potential problem.
Content Regulation
The Government of Pakistan has taken significant steps in the development of modern technology as well as those in the broadcasting sector such as adoption of multichannel or IPTV that integrates the provision of electronic program guides (EPG’s) to the receivers. The scenario becomes severe in the fields of literature and academic writing as the internet opens up various digital sources for accessing information such as virtual libraries that also contain mixed information where they can acquire both correct and incorrect answers to their queries. Also, the technological evolution and digital development have brought about a lot of changes in the educational sector, thus the teaching process has also been affected with the advent of the internet and the use of different technology from libraries and physical textbooks to e-learning among others
The Future of Media Consumption in Pakistan
The growth of IPTV will undeniably change patronage and content delivery.
There could be an increase in the production of local content on IPTV platforms. Thus IPTV serves as a mediator that links users to internet materials that are available on the master server.
We may see the rise of more niche channels and shows on IPTV.
The involvement of the media on social networking and conversational functionality with IPTV will be taken up by industries.
Use of innovative technologies including AR and VR will be greater with IPTV.
IPTV technology which is now being implemented is outbraking and moving to digitization and people are moving from traditional cable connections to IPTV that sends TV channels program instantly through the internet. These changes that taking places have inspired new ways of being for media outlets in the country. New opportunities arise through adaptation and innovation for media players. In the instance where the CTO keeps on the track of all changes and development of technology, the impression that this technology will bring in the new era will be exceptional. It should be said that the near future of Pakistani media is going to be developed and innovative at the same time. IPTV is definitely going to be the technology of the future that enables everyone to get access to entertainment everywhere from the internet.
Also, to foster IPTV adoption, consumers must be ready to hedge. High-quality and ubiquitous mobile broadband networks must be readily available and affordable. Moreover, only digitalization would not ensure the complete revision of the system, the teaching activities should be synchronous with this change. Thus, the young generation will be prepared for securing the future of the country.