Q&A With Synacor's Michael Bishara
By | August 16, 2013
Synacor TV Everywhere guru Mike Bishara, who helped develop and launch award-winning HBO Go, gave us his take on TVE’s continuing evolution. He’s just one of the many distinguished speakers and panelists who will share their wisdom at CableFAX’s TV Innovation Summit on Sept 24 in NYC.
CableFAX: Is TVE on track to reach critical mass in the US?
Bishara: On track? It’s actually just really starting to gain momentum, from a very slow start. Consumers have come to expect their favorite shows and content on the device and timing of their choosing. There’s no going backwards. TVE is a must in an industry wanting to keep their customers loyal and engaged.
CableFAX: What are the key lessons learned and best practices in terms of TVE deployment?
Bishara: Involve and excite the consumers. AKA, educate. What are credentials? What rights do I have? What IS TV Everywhere anyhow? These shouldn’t be mysteries or points of confusion for customers—but easy-to-understand information that excite a massive pay-TV subscriber base.
CableFAX: What’s the main challenge that MSOs and programmers face as they deploy TVE?
Bishara: Delivering TV Everywhere is complicated—technology, proliferation of mobile devices, back-office systems, rights management, metadata. Synacor’s goal is to handle that for our MVPD (MSO) customers so they don’t feel that pain and neither do their subscribers..!
CableFAX: How’s consumer acceptance of TVE so far?
Bishara: Watching TV is fun. Watching TV on whatever device a consumer wants and at whatever time that consumer wants has to be fun too. Consumers have come to expect this kind of experience, and we have to ensure that’s exactly what’s delivered—Fun TV..! What’s not to accept..?
CableFAX: What are some of the upcoming technology enhancements that can make TVE a better experience for consumers?
Bishara: Anything that makes TV Everywhere easy-breezy and fun for the consumer is a must: auto authentication and authentication tied to social media…are solid first steps. But we’re all just getting started..!
To gain more insight and network with Bishara as well as other industry experts, register to attend CableFAX’s TV Innovation Summit on September 24 in NYC. The early bird rate ends next Friday, August 23 – so secure your spot today!
If you have any questions, or would like to register by phone, please contact Saun Sayamongkhun at [email protected] or 301-354-1694.