GigaOM Pro

Cable operators look to connected TVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles as the likely successors to the set-top box.

For years, the electronic programming guide has been an impediment to navigating the ever-increasing content choices available on cable TV. But its limited search and discovery capabilities have been driven primarily by the hardware on which it's built, and because of that, many operators are now looking for new ways to reach consumers without the set-top box. What will replace it? A wide range of devices — connected TVs, Blu-ray players and gaming consoles — are potential successors.