Report Forecasts Gains in European HDTV

PARIS: New research from Euroconsult and NPA indicate that the number of HDTV-equipped households in Europe will rise from 59 million today to 170 million by 2013.

Between now and 2010 alone, Euroconsult and NPA estimate a rapid gain to 116 million, reflecting a 51-percent penetration rate. By 2018, there are expected to be 220 million HD-enabled homes in the region. The growth will be led by the continued fall in prices of high-definition flat screen TVs, the report notes. HDTV in Europe, Key Economics & Prospects to 2018 also cites as a factor the imminent inclusion of HDTV capability as a standard feature in flat screens sold throughout Europe.

Meanwhile, the number of pay-TV networks in Europe offering HD has almost tripled in the last two years, the report states. There are now 130 channels broadcasting in HD in Europe, and this is expected to rise to 600 by 2013. Satellite platforms are expected to continue to be the dominant players in the HDTV market, but cable and IPTV are working hard to catch up, and developments are forecast in the DTT space. "Pay-TV reception will drive growth of HDTV adoption in Europe in the short term, despite the current economic downturn," sad Pacome Revillon, the managing director of Euroconsult. "In 2013, over 38 million households should receive HD pay-TV services, twice the number of households watching HD free-to-air only. From 56 million in 2013, the number of households receiving HD will boom to over 175 million households in 2018, making from HD the standard TV experience in most Western and Central European markets."