Central and Eastern Europe will have 32 million homes able to receive digital signals by the end of 2011, more than five times the 2005 figure, according to a report from Informa Telecoms & Media.
Over the next five years Russia looks set to lead the digital revolution. At the end of 2005 it lagged behind Poland in terms of digital TV subscribers, but is expected to claim first place during this year and build a comfortable lead by the end of 2011.
Adam Thomas, Informa’s media research manager, and author of the report, said: “An increasing segment of the Russian population can afford premium TV services, meaning it is well placed to establish itself as the region’s digital powerhouse. While many Russians remain happy to receive free-to-air broadcasts, the increasing number of platforms offering programming choice is starting to stimulate the market.”
The report says that digital penetration will exceed 23% of the region’s TV households by 2011. Satellite is actively upgrading to digital while, with several launches in the pipeline, IPTV is also looking to emerge as a credible alternative platform.
The Diffusion Group recently released a report which forecast that global IPTV subscriptions will grow from two million in 2005 to 34 million in 2010 (see Global IPTV Households To Near 34 Million By 2010).
| Digital TV households (000) |
| |
2005 |
2011 |
| |
| Czech Republic |
117 |
938 |
| |
| Hungary |
171 |
1,351 |
| |
| Poland |
1,539 |
6,035 |
| |
| Romania |
190 |
1,979 |
| |
| Russia |
1,399 |
10,571 |
| |
| Rest of Region |
2,689 |
11,101 |
| |
| Total |
6,105 |
31,975 |
| |
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