Video World Insider Week in Review

With even the leftovers from Thanksgiving starting to dwindle and the more standard video-watching snacks returning to the regular rotation, streaming video is no less massive a field than it ever was. This week brought plenty of developments in the field, and as such, this week’s coverage comes along to run down some of the biggest points of a week stacked full of amazing news. So settle in and let's run down the biggest and brightest.

First we got a look at the profitability of streaming video. Forecasts from Informa Telecoms & Media (News - Alert) suggest that by 2017, the online video market will be worth $37 billion total. Interestingly, this comes in a marketplace in which many video services are not only free to use, but where free to use services are more frequently used than their paying-basis counterparts. But the online video market also includes things like video advertising, the products of pay-TV operations, and even live online video content.

Next came a closer look at some concepts that are unnerving to standard television operators such as the familiar “cord cutters” and the somewhat newer “cord nevers.” The two forces – one comprised of those who have recently canceled their cable service in favor of online alternatives (also called “cable cutters”) and the other of those who have never had cable service – represent a significant problem to cable television operations, including those recent advancements in TV Everywhere productions.

Then we examined the newest move on LG U+'s part, which brought Envivio (News - Alert) into the fold as a way to power their new LG U+tv G service. LG U+ was already using Envivio for its 126 channel-strong TV Everywhere package, but now, Envivio is directly tied into LG U+'s multiscreen service as well. This new coalition allows LG U+tv users to get in on both live channels and on-demand services, with a variety of Google (News - Alert) Apps – including Chrome, the always-popular YouTube and Google's bread-and-butter Search function – all on one handy screen.

Foxtel brought in the next piece of news with the new launch of Foxtel Go, an app that incorporates live and on-demand TV Everywhere service, to iPad users in Australia. Now, subscribers will be able to get an app that offers 21 channels on the go, including such big names as National Geographic, A&E, Sky News and several others. Foxtel previously brought a similar service to the Xbox 360 as well as brought it to connected TV systems. Foxtel also promises other measures to come, with even more opportunities to get content to viewers.

Finally, we got a look at the issue of Smart TV sales and their relevant connections. As it turns out, a wide number of Smart TV devices are being sold, but very few of them are being connected. Informa Telecoms & Media conducted the research behind this one, and discovered that, by 2017, fully 220 million Smart TV devices will be sold, up from 54 million this year. But Smart TVs aren't being used to their fullest, and many users are eschewing the connections in their televisions in favor of dedicated streaming devices like Apple (News - Alert) TV and Roku boxes.

So that was the week that was in streaming video; with plenty of issues showing up from the future of TV Everywhere to the overall progress of the streaming video market, there was a lot to talk about. Our global online community is constantly on the lookout for more, so be sure to join us back here next week for more, and every weekend for our week in review coverage!