Two forces conspire to create this state of affairs. A fundamental shift in the pace of technological change has created a shortfall in participant's communication capabilities. Until a few years ago, the broadcast industry was very technologically stable. The introduction of interactive technology represents the first fundamental change in the programming delivery format since the introduction of color. In iTV, linear video programs are being replaced by software applications that include video as but one of many digital elements.
Software is much more complex to create and distribute than video.
Typical CD-ROM applications, for example, contain millions of lines of code and are published with a large degree of uncertainty surrounding their level of performance under varied playback conditions. For example, most MSOs are focused on rolling out their high-speed Internet and VOD businesses. Most content creation companies are focused on reaching the new audience with new kinds of content and learning how they respond. Most technology companies are focused on driving their technology to ubiquity. On March 29th and 30th in West Hollywood, CA, DigitalTV and iMIX Inc hosted the iTV industry's premier networking and educational event, iMIX v3.0.