IPTV Subs to Triple Between 2008 and 2013

IPTV subscriber ship will triple between 2008 and 2013, according to Informa (News - Alert) Telecoms & Media, that will represent 57 million IPTV homes in 2013, or about four percent of the world's TV households. Only 14 countries will have more than one million IPTV (News - Alert) subs at that point.

 

In part, that growth, which some might think is somewhat limited, is a direct result of the relatively saturated nature of the multi-channel TV market. Nearly every IPTV customer has to be taken away from some other existing provider, notes Informa analyst Simon Murray.

 

Still, that shift is occurring. There will be18.6 million IPTV households by the end of 2008, up eight million in the year. Asia Pacific and Western Europe are each responsible for nearly three million of the additions, with North America adding 1.7 million.

 

Much of the future growth is expected to be in Asia Pacific, says Murray. By 2013, Asia Pacific will contribute 22.2 million of the 57 million global totals. China alone will have crossed the 10 million mark.

 

The United States won't be too far behind China, which may surprise some given the high cable and satellite penetration in the States, Murray says.

 

France will remain Europe's leader, but growth is expected to slow in coming years as IPTV marketing efforts are concentrated on urban areas. France will have 4.9 million IPTV homes by 2013, up from 3.6 million in 2008.

 

Hong Kong will remain the top country for IPTV penetration of TV households, thanks many to the inroads made by market leader PCCW (News - Alert). More than a third of Hong Kong's TV households receive IPTV signals. Although the growth is slowing, half its TV households will take IPTV by 2013.

 

By 2013, Singapore will be second, with 20 percent IPTV penetration. Taiwan will be just behind Singapore with 19 percent penetration.

 

France will be in third place with 18 percent penetration, just ahead of the Netherlands and Belgium.

 

By 2013, IPTV penetration will be higher than 10 percent of TV households in 12 countries. However, 14 countries covered in our forecasts will record penetration of two percent or less, says Murray. Latin America will record low rates, mainly due to the slow start of IPTV in much of the region.