As IPTV operators scramble to deliver more profitable HD programming over their systems, they are faced with several challenges.

First, strong demand is said to have led to a shortage of IPTV HD set-top boxes by Motorola, which is the main supplier. And because of slower IPTV access speeds, satellite and cable TV services in Europe typically have larger numbers of HD channels, with premium content in HD.

IPTV, by contrast, has very little HD content. In the United States, numbers are perhaps less polarized as a result of higher IPTV access speeds. However, it’s the quality of content, not the quantity, that matters.

IPTV providers most often use HD as a promotional vehicle rather than to generate revenue. However, they have been expanding their HD offerings. AT&T’s U-verse recently added new HD channels in New Haven and Hartford, CT, bringing the total number of HD channels there to 44. Verizon expects to offer 150 HD channels via its FiOS service by the end of 2008.

While promising, these numbers still pale in comparison to the number of SD channels offered by cable and satellite services. This is, in part, because of the challenges involved in offering HD programming, said a report in Daily IPTV.

Fewer than 20 percent of European IPTV services offer HDTV, and many of those that do, like Orange TV or Freebox, rely on ADSL2+ to deliver the content. For content owners, this is a concern.

As to the shortage of set-top boxes, industry experts say the blame falls on chip manufacturers rather than set-top manufacturers. HD uptake has, in general, been a little slower than expected. To counter this, some IPTV providers have been supplying HD for free, which has increased the demand on suppliers and manufacturers.

Despite continued growth, many are predicting it may be a while before HD exceeds SD offerings. In fact, HD programming isn’t likely to become commonplace until 2012.