Conflict 2 - Pay vs Free

Conflict 2 establishes the verticle axis for the Four Futures Scenario model.  free v pay conflict.jpg 

 

Conflict 2 looks at the emerging conflict between Free-to-Air platforms (eg Freeview and Freesat) and established Pay platforms (eg Sky and Virgin Media).  This conflict examines how in the early days of digital TV, the pay platforms had a lock down on the best content and the best functionality.  However, two things are happening:

  • the free platforms are beginning to compete in terms of sophisticated functionality in the boxes, with the launch of HD channels, PVRs, and soon, on-demand access to services such as iPlayer
  • much of the content that the pay platforms have had a lock down on, particularly sports and movies, is starting to appear on the internet.