ABI: Set-Tops in Big Demand in Asia-Pacific

Set-top boxes are set to reach Asian consumers at an ever-increasing rate, according to new market data published by ABI Research, entitled "Set-Top Box Shipments."

Overall set-top box shipments in the region, including those for cable, DBS, IPTV, and DTT television services, will approach 111 million in 2014, the culmination of a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in excess of 12 percent over the 2009-2014 period.

“As in so many other things, China is the powerhouse that is driving STB shipment and revenue numbers in the Asia-Pacific region,” said industry analyst Michael Inouye, in a statement. “Within China, one of the main sources of STB segment growth is its target of completing the transition to digital cable and terrestrial TV in 2015. That translates to a lot of cable boxes.”

While much of the Chinese market demand will be met by domestic vendors, some foreign companies want part of the action. Late last year, for example, Cisco acquired the cable STB unit of Chinese vendor DVN.