Since the evolution of the Internet, our society has undergone a huge transformation. Every facet of our lives has been influenced by rapid digitalization and the ever-evolving Digital Media Platforms. From Communication to Travel, and from Work to Leisure, the omnipresence of ‘Digital’ has been the story of our success. For instance, the humble television, which was meant to keep us informed and entertained, has also gone through a Digital transformation to what we know as IPTV. While many of us may not be aware of it, chances are we might already be using it without knowing. What is IPTV and how it works? Essentially, it is the combination of TV and Web, and is perhaps, a trendier way of watching Television. The “IP” stands for Internet Protocol and uses a similar technology like VoIP (Voice over IP). It means the technology enables TV programs to be ‘communicated’ using the Internet. IPTV has been growing rapidly, and could soon become one of the most preferred Digital Media Platforms . This is because, it has many advantages over the traditional cable or satellite TV platforms. As a Cable TV viewer, you can only watch what’s being broadcasted. It’s because your TV is just a receiver of signals that are sent out by the broadcasters. So, if you want to watch your favorite TV show, then you have to tune in at the time it’s broadcasted. If you miss it, then you’d have to wait for a re-telecast, which may or may not happen, as it completely depends on the broadcaster. On the other hand, IPTV uses video on demand (VOD). Using this technology, IPTV transmits TV shows and movies through the standard internet connection in the form of time-shifted media. It means, the TV shows and movies are made available in the regular video-format through a web or mobile app, and can be watched by the users whenever they want. While IPTV uses complicated network architecture to convert traditional signals to digital media, it is quite simple for end-users in terms of usability. All you have to do is to click on the video you want to watch. If you can’t find it in the app, then you can request the broadcasters, who will send it across immediately. The bottom-line is that you can watch your desired TV shows whenever you want and on whichever device you want, making life much easier. If you’re using a TV that is not equipped for IPTV, then you can always use a set-top box to convert the IPTV content into a format that can be displayed by your TV. But, with a computer, you don’t need anything extra to watch IPTV. However, you would still need to sign up for a service and then stream content of your choice in the IPTV formats. Types of IPTV IPTV can be broadly categorized into three different flavors. Video on demand (VOD) is one of the most popular kinds of IPTV, which allows you to access videos through an online website. All you have to do is to subscribe to the service and select a TV program or movie you want to watch. You’ll probably have a wide range of options to choose from, and you can stream them on your device after paying a nominal subscription fee. The fee could be per video or charged for a fixed duration, say for a week or a month, during which you are allowed to stream a given number of videos per day. Time-shifted IPTV is another popular form of IPTV. This option allows you to access IPTV using a web-based video-streaming player. It is being offered by many popular TV broadcasters, who make their last week’s programs available online using a web-based video- streaming player. It’s known as time-shifted IPTV because you can watch scheduled broadcasts as per your convenience. Live IPTV is the third type of IPTV, and as the name suggests, it involves broadcasting live TV programs across the Internet. When it comes to live telecasts, IPTV is almost similar to your cable or satellite TV, as you can easily stream the event on your phone. Sporting events are some of the common live events that can be streamed live, allowing you to watch your favorite games on the go. Each of these formats can be accessed using an ordinary web browser. For better quality, you can also use a set-top box with your digital TV and can enjoy watching your favorite TV shows, movies, soaps or sports events, all at your convenience.