IPTV

IPTV, or Internet Protocol Television, refers to the delivery of television content over IP networks such as broadband, DSL, fiber, or wireless connections rather than through traditional terrestrial, satellite, or cable formats. In an IPTV system, video and audio are encoded, packetized, and transported as IP streams to end users, typically over a managed network that can provide quality of service guarantees.

IPTV services typically include live television, time-shifted television (catch-up and start-over features), and video on demand. Some offerings also include DVR-like capabilities and interactive applications. Delivery strategies often use multicast for live channels within the operator’s network and unicast for on-demand content, with content viewed on devices such as dedicated set-top boxes, IP-enabled televisions, or apps on computers and mobile devices.

Key technologies and formats commonly involved include encoding standards such as MPEG-2, MPEG-4 AVC (H.264), and HEVC, and transport protocols like RTSP, RTP, HLS, and MPEG-DASH. IPTV relies on a middleware layer to manage channel guides, user authentication, and digital rights management. Because IPTV depends on varying network conditions, many providers operate over managed networks to ensure bandwidth, latency, and stability suitable for television-quality delivery.

Compared with over-the-top (OTT) services, IPTV is typically delivered over a controlled, provider-managed network that can offer tighter QoS guarantees, while OTT services run over the public internet. The IPTV ecosystem has evolved as part of converged telecom offerings and remains subject to licensing, copyright, and content-protection considerations.