Set-top box switchover

A new report published by IMS research this week shows that 200 million set-top boxes (STBs) were shipped during 2009, an increase of 50 million from the previous year.

This has been partly attributed to the analogue switch-off in the US. Although the report suggests that potential growth has been inhibited by the credit crunch and a decrease in disposable income people have available to invest in new technologies.

Sales are expected to continue to increase globally in 2010, with digital cable and satellite projects to roll out in both China and Europe. We also expect to see an increase in sales here in the UK with the digital switchover fast approaching, as we saw last week May was the first month on record that no analogue TV sets were sold in Britain.

As consumers increasingly demand more from their set-top box than just traditional broadcast content, device manufacturers must rise to the challenge to deliver new, applications and services to stand out in a crowded market. Content is of course key, but must be combined with a powerful underlying platform to deliver the new services. The user interface (UI) will need to evolve in tandem with this growth. Simplicity is vital for the new, converged UI in order for viewers to easily navigate this wealth of new content.

The Digital Age

It was reported this week that May was the first month on record that no analogue TV sets were sold in Britain. The traditional TV format is fading out, as the UK digital TV switchover in 2012 fast approaches.

The rise of Digital TV with additional channels, HD, a variety of STB functionality and the imminent arrival of 3D TV means the consumer has never had so many choices. The switch to digital also provides viewers with a wealth of new content. The number of digital TV channels available through cable, satellite, Terrestrial, IP and hybrid STBs continues to grow. Add to that the on-demand content and you’re bound to find something you want to watch!

Pay-TV market share movement

The number of IPTV subscribers in Europe is set to rise by 92% in next five years, according to a report from Analysys Mason. This will more than double the current number of subscribers from 15.4 million to 29.6 million.

These results show that IPTV is set to grow at a fast rate and is shaping up to take a 19% share in the pay-TV market by 2015. Analysys Mason is also expecting to see strong growth with pay-DTT (digital terrestrial television) subscriptions owning up to 11% of the pay-TV market in the next five years.

As these platforms display strong growth, there will of course be platforms that decline in market share, as the report states there will "inevitably be losers as well as winners during the next five years". Cable platforms will continue to dominate, although this is expected to decline to 41% and Satellite TV services are expected to lose out on their share by a 1% decline.