ABI: National TV Digitization to Drive IPTV Growth in Asia

SINGAPORE: The number of IPTV subscribers worldwide will increase 70 percent from 2012 to 2017, with 100 percent growth in the Asia Pacific, reports ABI Research.

There are currently 28.5 million IPTV subscribers in the Asia Pacific. Globally, pay-TV subs will reach 853.5 million by the end of the year, with 116 million being IPTV subscribers. Cable operators around the world have been investing heavily in the digitization of networks to compete with satellite and IPTV platforms. The Asia-Pacific region has the highest growth potential, due to its market size and growing economy. The region is expected to account for more than 60 percent of the total net additions in 2012. Growth with mainly be in China, India and other countries with low pay-TV penetration, including Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Currently, less than 15 percent of pay-TV subscribers in the Asia-Pacific region have HD services. This number is expected to grow to more than 18 percent by the end of the year. HD service adoption is the highest in North America, followed by Western Europe.

“Satellite and IPTV networks have been able to deliver better channel selection and higher quality signals than analog TV platforms,” said Sam Rosen, the practice director for TV and video at ABI Research. “When faced with technology changes—including digital terrestrial (DTT) transitions and cable digitization requiring a set-top box—customers are likely to consider satellite and IPTV alternatives.”

“Key markets of the Asia-Pacific region, such as China and India, are carrying out nationwide cable TV digitization. Digitization is expected to increase HD services and adoption in the years to come,” added Khin Sandi Lynn, a research analyst for the core forecasting.