Several issues in the design and optimization of the next generation optical access network (NG-OAN) are presented. The noise, the distortion and the fiber optic nonlinearities are considered to optimize the video distribution link in a passive optical network (PON). A discussion of the effect of the optical amplification in the performance of the standardized PON is presented comparing the performance of the EDFA (erbium doped fiber amplifier) and the distributed Raman amplification. The effect of the Raman amplification in extending the reach of the NG-OAN is analyzed and some requirements are presented.