In spite of predictions to the contrary, video on demand service has yet to become a significant channel for distribution
of audiovisual entertainment to consumers’ homes. In this paper, we examine the market for video on demand service under the
assumption that quality of service is a threshold factor that consumers take into consideration when making their purchasing
decision. Given this characteristic of consumer behavior, we model the joint demand for video on demand service and broadband
network access. We then proceed to characterize the optimal solution to monopolist and duopolist content providers’ price
and quantity decisions in this market. The comparative statics results are extended in a two-period game theoretic framework
that addresses the timing issue of service adoption.
Keywords Video on demand - Efficient bandwidth - Cournot competition - Market equilibrium