Digital TV In 103m Homes Worldwide, Says Strategy Analytics

After a difficult 12 months, which has seen the demise of ITV Digital in the UK and Quiero in Spain, the research firm expects to see a turn of the tide with demand reaching new heights in the near future. By 2008, SA forecasts that 374 million households worldwide will have access to DTV.

North America and Western Europe are still the prominent marketplaces, accounting for 78% of digital TV homes this year. However, SA sees great potential in the Asia-Pacific zone, where new digital satellite and cable services are being launched all the time. By 2008, it is reckoned that the region will account for 28% of the world market.

“There is clear evidence that viewers worldwide will continue to switch to digital television using cable and satellite platforms,” says Nick Griffiths, a Strategy Analytics director. “The problems faced by digital terrestrial television should not be taken as a sign of general industry malaise.”

Worldwide Digital TV Ownership Forecasts*
	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
No. of households (Millions)	54.9	76.7	103.3	135.8	175.2	221.5	272.2	324.4	374.0
Year On Year Growth (%)	n/a	39.7	34.7	31.5	29.0	26.4	22.9	19.2	15.3
*includes all digital platforms – terrestrial, satellite, cable, DSL and other
Source: Strategy Analytics, June 2002

Cable to challenge satellite Satellite-based digital TV remains the most popular platform for viewers, but there is much-needed encouragement for the beleaguered cable industry. Strategy Analysts claims cable’s share of the digital TV audience is set to rise from 30% in 2001 to 35% this year.

According to the report, 15.9 million homes will sign up to digital cable in 2003, compared with 15.4 million for digital satellite. This should also provide a boost in sales of set-top boxes. SA predicts that shipments will increase this year by 34%, to 44.6 million units with revenue rising to $10.8 billion.