In-Stat: Set Top Box Market Hits All Time High

Global demand for digital set-top boxes hit a new high in 2009, with worldwide set-top box unit shipments increasing 11 percent, according to new research from In-Stat, entitled “The Digital Set Top Box Market 2010: Demand Remains Solid, Despite Threats." Record demand for both satellite and terrestrial set-top boxes fueled the market growth.

In-Stat found the following:

• Unit shipments in 2010 are projected to decrease slightly, returning to 2008 levels.
• Hybrid set-top boxes that integrate IP video with an existing broadcast platform will ship in significant numbers in 2011, particularly in Europe.
• Sustained demand for advanced set-top box products like HD-capable set-top boxes and PVR-enabled products, coupled with the continuing analog-to-digital transition, will keep the set-top box market vibrant through at least 2012.
• Satellite set-top boxes, the largest market segment, accounted for 48 percent of 2009 global set-top box unit shipments.