'Super-Platform' in 2012?

For 2012, research house Strategy Analytics is predicting the arrival of the media super-platform, a proprietary ecosystem of digital media, distribution, devices and storage on a massive scale. Connected TV, multiscreen and smart home all feature prominently in the predictions, with much of the discussion centering on the plans of Apple, Google and Microsoft, as they seek to influence the future direction of the digital home and the media value chain. The full report is available at https://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=reportabstractviewer&a0=6961 (requires registration)."The Super-platform will impact every facet of audience consumption, will diminish the role of the device, marginalize standalone content providers and raise the barriers to entry to historically unimaginable levels," said Ed Barton, SA's director of digital media strategies, in a statement. "Now it is no longer enough to 'just' be a multibillion dollar market leader to play this game. Bring an addressable market of over 100 million devices, global territorial coverage, tier 1 content relationships across all entertainment formats and tens of billions of dollars to invest over the next decade, or go home."Among the research house's other predictions:

• The global installed base of connected/smart TVs will grow by 68% to reach 200 million units.



• Social networks will generate global revenues of more than $7 billion through advertising, virtual items and premium services.



• 2012 will be the first year online gaming revenue outstrips packaged games, generating 45% of global revenue against 43% for packaged games.