Dataxis: 18 Percent of Global TV Homes Receive Free-to-Air Satellite

New research from Dataxis finds that 314 million households receive a TV signal via free-to-air (FTA) satellite, representing 18 percent of global television homes.

Dataxis predicts that this ratio will reach 20 percent in 2021, though the penetration rate for FTA DTH varies regionally. It is almost nonexistent in North America. FTA DTH distribution in Latin America is limited to Brazil, with 21 percent of the TV households. In Europe, FTA DTH distribution depends on the countries: Germany leads with 34 percent of the TV households, followed by Ukraine with 26 percent, Ireland with 16 percent and Italy with 15 percent. In the Middle East, DTH satellite distribution is the most common way to receive TV; 65 percent of TV households receive TV via FTA DTH. FTA satellite distribution is particularly important in Asia, with 64 percent of the TV households in Thailand, followed by Japan with 37 percent, China with 25 percent and India with 12 percent. Dataxis forecasts that the most important potential growth for satellite distribution will be in Sub-Saharan Africa.