Cable services have traditionally been associated with television, but over the years, they have expanded to include a variety of other services, such as internet and telephone. Here’s a detailed directory of sectors and subsectors within the cable services industry:
1. Television Services:
- Basic Cable: The entry-level package offering a selection of local and national channels.
- Premium Cable: Additional packages offering specialized channels such as HBO, Showtime, or Starz.
- Pay-Per-View (PPV): One-time payments for specific events or movies.
- Video On Demand (VOD): Allows subscribers to watch pre-recorded shows and movies on their schedule.
- Digital Cable: Offers more channels and better picture quality compared to analog.
2. Internet Services:
- Broadband Cable Internet: High-speed internet access provided through coaxial or fiber-optic cables.
- Wi-Fi Hotspots: Public wireless internet access points provided by cable companies.
- Bundled Services: Package deals that combine internet, television, and sometimes phone services.
3. Voice Services:
- Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP): Phone service delivered over the internet.
- Cable Telephony: Traditional landline service delivered over a cable network.
4. Equipment & Devices:
- Cable Modems: Devices that connect to the cable outlet and provide internet connectivity.
- Set-Top Boxes: Devices that decode digital signals for television sets.
- Digital Video Recorders (DVRs): Allow users to record, pause, and play back TV shows.
- Cable Cards: Devices that can be inserted into TVs or other devices to access cable services without a set-top box.
5. Specialty & Niche Services:
- Music & Audio Channels: Radio-like channels offering a range of music genres.
- Interactive TV: Enables interactivity related to TV content, such as shopping or participating in polls.
- Parental Controls: Features allowing parents to restrict access to certain channels or content.
6. Commercial & Business Services:
- Business Internet Packages: High-speed internet tailored for businesses with additional features.
- Bulk Services: Cable services tailored for hotels, institutions, and other multi-dwelling units.
- Business Phone Services: VoIP and traditional phone services for businesses.
7. Infrastructure & Network:
- Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC) Network: A combination of optical fiber and coaxial cable to deliver services.
- Content Delivery Network (CDN): Systems of distributed servers that deliver content based on the user’s location.
8. Streaming & OTT Services:
- Over-the-Top (OTT): Streaming services that deliver content over the internet without traditional cable infrastructure, such as Netflix or Hulu.
- TV Everywhere: Allows cable subscribers to access content on devices other than their TV, like tablets or smartphones, often via a dedicated app.
This directory offers a comprehensive view of the primary sectors and subsectors of the cable services industry. However, with the rapid technological changes and consumer demands shifting towards more flexible, internet-based content consumption, the cable industry continues to evolve.