Global DTV Subs to Top 880 Million by 2014
New research from Strategy Analytics estimates the number of digital television (DTV) subscribers worldwide will grow from 484 million this year to 887 million by 2014.
The projected numbers imply a five-year Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 16.34 percent worldwide.
The group predicted Asia Pacific will post the highest growth in the next five years, representing more than half of worldwide digital subscriptions by 2014. Following behind are Central and Latin America, and Central and Eastern Europe.
Cable continues to be the dominant television viewing platform; however, the research firm said more than two-thirds of subscribers worldwide still use analog. This is expected to change rapidly, with digital cable households outnumbering analog starting in 2012.
As countries roll out their respective digital-transition programs, the relative importance of digital terrestrial TV as a primary viewing platform likewise will increase.
“We expect to see a digital inflection point in 2013, with digital subscriptions outpacing analog for the first time,” said Strategy Analytics. “Much of this growth will be fueled by the increased availability of digital terrestrial television as well as a stepped-up transition from analog to digital cable.”
In addition, global digital pay-TV revenues will grow from roughly $150 billion in 2010 to $215 billion by 2014, the firm said. Pay per view and video on demand revenues likewise are forecasted to see strong growth, reaching $21 billion in 2014.
