Broadcasting

February 16, 2007
North America lead the digital satellite pay-TV market

SCOTTSDALE -- Western Europe and North America continue to lead the digital satellite pay-TV market in subscribers and revenue, but the fastest growth over the next several years will come from other areas, especially Asia, reported In-Stat. Key satellite market trends include consolidation in established markets, interactivity, HD, launches, and bundling, the high-tech market research firm said.

"Most DTH platform launches in 2006 occurred in the less mature markets, including India and Eastern Europe," said Michael Inouye, In-Stat analyst.

"As DTH pay-TV platforms in many American and European countries have been in operation for a number of years, their subscriber growth has slowed. Total net new subscribers are growing each year, but only by single digit percentages."

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• Total DTH pay-TV subscribers are expected to reach over 117 million
  in 2010;
• Global DTH-TV revenues will exceed US $88 billion by 2010;
• Consolidation occurred in 2006 with service providers like TPS and
  CanalSatellite and conditional access providers (Irdeto/ Cryptoworks).