European Digital Penetration To Reach 40% In 2010

According to European Television – Seventh Edition, Europe passed the 20 million mark in 2001 and despite the failure of DTT operations such as ITV Digital and Quiero, there were almost 27 million digital homes at the end of last year. This number is expected to increase by about 4 million this year and by the end of the decade, more than 40% of households will have access to digital TV.

The UK currently accounts for about a third of the European total with France (15%) and Germany (13%) also well represented. The UK’s share will fall to 17% in 2010, by which time it will have been overtaken by Germany.

European Digital TV Households, By Country (000s)
Country	2002	2003	2005	2010
France	4,272	4,717	5,976	11,480
Germany	3,246	3,916	6,214	18,213
Italy	2,483	2,768	3,618	7,072
Netherlands	169	262	591	4,196
Spain	1,996	1,769	2,747	6,348
Sweden	969	1,129	1,681	3,428
UK	9,646	10,824	13,376	16,650
Other	4,140	5,336	8,320	29,689
Total	26,921	30,721	42,523	97,076
Source: Informa Media Group, April 2003

Platform breakdowns Cable will remain the most popular digital platform but there are regional variations and the dominant position of BSkyB in the UK is reflected in the fact that satellite is the preferred means of access in the domestic market. This is also the case in the United States (see Digital TV Now Welcome In More Homes).

DSL Entertainment has a small following but should see its share of the market increase over the next decade. Similarly, DTT has a low profile internationally but will benefit from the success of the UK’s free-to-air service, Freeview (see Freeview Boosts Digital TV Sector).

Digital Penetration Of TV Households In 2010, By Country (%)
Country	Cable	DTH	DSL	DTT	Total
France	18	21	4	8	50
Germany	32	10	5	4	51
Italy	0	19	4	10	33
Netherlands	55	1	3	1	60
Spain	9	24	4	15	52
Sweden	52	20	5	5	81
Switzerland	64	1	3	2	70
UK	17	32	2	15	66
Europe	19	12	3	7	41
Source: Informa Media Group, April 2003