Interactive content and convergence [antikvár]

Our main findings in this executive summary are structured in four parts A. Basics about the study - objectives, methodology B. Is the road really blocked? Extent of the European delay and mid-term forecasts C. What are the biggest obstacles to be removed for a faster, wider markét uptake? D. What kind of remedies are needed to address those obstacles and to what extent is regulatory intervention appropriate? A. About the study. 1. Authors. The European Commission (EC), Directorate General Information Society and Media, Unit Cl (Lisbon Strategy and Í2010), has selected a consortium made of three consultancies specialised in média (Screen Digest, Goldmedia and Rightscom) and one law firm specialised in média and copyright (CMS Hasche Sigle) to conduct this study entitled 'Interactive Content and Convergence; Implications for the Information Society'. 2. The aim of the study is to identify and assess the impact of the potential roadblocks of any kind (be they economic, technical or legal) that may hinder the exploitation of digital content (television programmes, radio, music, movies, games, publishing), across new distribution platforms and technologies. 3. Methodology. In addition to existing expertise and desk research, the consultants have consulted 179 stakeholders between February 2006 and July 2006 in order to reflect the diversity of situations and the obstacles to digital distribution occurring throughout the content value chains. This has been done through individual interviews, four focus groups and a number of written contributions. A public workshop took place in Brussels on 3 July 2006, attended by more than 130 organisations, at which the consultants provided preliminary findings and gave stakeholders an opportunity for feedback and input. A üst of consulted stake-holders is provided in the annex of this report. B. What is the current markét situation and what are the prospects? 4. The long-awaited digital 'convergence' is now truly coming of age in Europe. Broadband internet and mobile networks now make it possible to broadcast, stream or download digitised content from a diversity of platforms to a variety of devices, often on an on-demand, interactive basis. Tnteractivity' relates not only to content itself (as in interactive computer games) but to the many options left to consumers in the digital environment: navigation and search modes and multiple ways of accessing content in 'puli' business models, as opposed to the traditional 'push' mode of traditional