Emerging Markets to Lead Growth of DTV

SCOTTSDALE: While the growth rates for DTV are expected to remain relatively flat in developed markets such as North America, Europe and Japan, the countries of India, China and other territories throughout the Asia Pacific and Latin America are forecast to drive growth in the sector, according to IC Insights.

In general, DTV growth rates in developed markets will be stable through to 2012, since the digital upgrade cycle in many of these regions has already taken place. In emerging markets, however, fast-growth economies, increased disposable incomes and large populations will lead to DTV expansion. The digital TV boom in the Asia Pacific is expected to result in 70 percent of homes having DTV in 2015, up from some 35 percent in 2010.

IC Insights also reports that 3D TV is not the "must-have" TV in the digital market, with LED TVs and smart TVs becoming more in demand. An estimated 20 percent of television shipments in 2011 were smart TVs, and this is expected to increase to nearly 40 percent in 2012. Meanwhile, 3D TV has gone from what is considered to be "cutting-edge technology" in 2010 to a "commodity-like status" in 2011, says IC Insights.