Digital Cable to Reach 69 Million Homes in Western Europe and U.S. by 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) July 29, 2007 -- "European and US digital TV, 2006 � 2012" predicts that in five years, Digital TV services will reach around 69 million homes in Western Europe and the U.S. This reflects a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 8.4 % from 2006 and is helped by the shift from analogue cable to digital media.

One of the most recent entrants into the pay-TV arena, IPTV, has been tipped to show the largest growth. By 2012 it will make it to an estimated 19.3 million households � showing a CAGR of 41.8% from 2006.

But the report also envisages that competition in the sector will be fierce as broadband penetration in the regions has revolutionised the television sector. Customers can now experience video content through a variety of sources like cable, satellite, Internet protocol TV (IPTV), Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT), online video aggregators and mobile broadcast TV.

Authors of the report say new digital service offerings will be a key determinant for survival. Companies like Apple TV, Joost and YouTube are transforming the television sector by providing consumers with multiple service offerings. Analysts believe that for any company to have the edge in a market with dynamics in flux, they would need to offer a unified entertainment and communications experience.

Bundling strategies are being employed by digital service operators to stay in the market. Operators like BSkyB, Canal Digital and Verizon are giving customers multiple communications services including voice and data, in addition to conventional TV services in order to survive.

Most content producers and public service broadcasters (PSBs) are beginning to drive content through proprietary or partnered online portals. BBC�s iPlayer and the recent strategic move to deliver content via YouTube are examples of the trend which mounts rising pressure on traditional aggregators to ramp up on their services to retain their customer base.

The report provides in-depth analysis on developments for each of the different TV platforms including cable, satellite, DTT and IPTV. It addresses the current technological developments, including HD and PVR penetration, and looks at market growth split by platform, service operator and region. Importantly it outlines the strategies service operators employ in order to remain competitive.

Source: http://www.prlog.org/