More IPTV research, this time from research group GfK NOP, has found that 1 in every 3 people would be interested in downloading content. It's believed that UK IPTV could potentially turn into a £1Bn industry:

A survey of 1,600 people found that one in three UK broadband users would be interested in downloading content. However, IPTV providers need to remember that viewers won't be prepared to pay through the nose for such a service, with £25 a month the top price people would be prepared to fork out.

But price isn't the only issue. Any IPTV service needs to be idiot-proof and content has to compelling. Selling the service on the basis that it's "TV over broadband" as opposed to "TV" would be a real turn-off for consumers.

The study doesn't expect IPTV to be an instant success throughout Europe, but the potential is there. It's good to see at least one report recognise that such products will need to be more than just extensions of normal TV to succeed.

We'd be willing to pay £25 per month for a Hi-Def online alternative to an expensive SkyDigital subscription (of which only a handful of channels are ever even used). Sadly, being stuck at 1Mbps somewhat ends that idea. More @ The Register.