The 2014 World Cup, TV Everywhere and mobile networks: important topics for LatAm pay-TV executives

The programming and broadcast efforts surrounding the 2014 World Cup, the importance of mobile networks, broadband, and TV Everywhere in the region, were some of the topics discussed at the panel The Latin American Breakfast: The New Generation Of Video Services And Broadband, sponsored by Arris on the opening day of The Cable Show 2014 in Los Angeles.Raymundo Fernández, Co-CEO of Megacable of Mexico; Raúl Ponson, sector manager of Technical Affairs of SETAR of Aruba; and Samuel Possebon, editorial director of Converge Comunicaçoes of Brazil, participated as speakers, and Alex Swan, VP Corporate Communications of Arris attended as moderator.Ponson believes investing on the mobile grid is key, while Fernández emphasized the importance of over the top (OTT), which has had its own platform since early last year. He said they are preparing to ensure the transition towards a world with no linear channels goes as smoothly as possible.Possebon spoke about Brazil’s great growth potential for pay-TV, where broadcast TV currently dominates.Other topics discussed during the panel included the regulatory environment in each market. Ponson said that in Aruba the prices for cable service are regulated and that pay-TV operators find themselves having to offer different bundles to offset the costs. Possebon said new legislation in Brazil has motivated foreign channels to significantly increase their local production.