The offer of ‘Internet ready’ TVs on the surface is very tempting; no set top box, no hooking up the laptop to the TV - just easy access to over the top TV services.

However, we have grown accustomed to the hardwired link between the consumer (subscriber) and the service provider. The effect is that the consumer only sees what the service provider makes available. A sceptical view is that the relationship is about locking in the consumer and locking out all other options.

Over the top TV promises so much for the consumer as it has the potential not only to supply so much more content on demand but to break the dependency on a single source of content - the traditional service provider.  Clearly some controls will need to be in place but when you buy a PC it doesn’t limit what applications you can install or websites you visit, why should TV?

Players such as Canvas, HBBTV and Access are looking at open solutions  (with controls) where content sources and applications can be added relatively simply through an app store, like iTunes.  Is this the future of TV? 

If you would like to contribute or participate at this event  please let the team@mashupevent.com know as soon as possible.