Convergence Driving European TV Progress

New research published today by Informa Telecoms & Media shows that digital TV penetration of Western European households will break the 50% mark by the end of this year. The 11th edition of Informa’s Western European TV report forecasts that digital homes in the region will total 135 million by 2012, equivalent to an 86% penetration rate.

Ted Hall, a Media Analyst at Informa and co-author of the report, said: “Convergence through triple and quadruple-play is gaining traction. The public are increasingly demanding full-service products that can offer traditional broadcast TV plus a range of other services, such as pay TV, HDTV, VOD, broadband and telephony services. TV companies and telcos are jostling for position to fulfil this growing demand.”

Western Europe: Digital TV households (million)

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media

The UK is currently the region’s most prominent digital market, accounting for 26% of digital TV homes, followed by France with 22% and Germany with 14%. The UK’s dominance has begun to wane though, as other markets show improved digital growth rates. According to Adam Thomas, Informa’s Media Research Manager: “The signs of progress towards converged services are there for all to see. During 2006, 16.7 million TV households upgraded to digital in Western Europe. By the end of 2012 a further 72.9 million will make the same transition.”

Of the 15 countries studied in the report, six are expected to have completely switched to digital by 2012. All countries will exceed 50% digital penetration and only four will fall short of 70%. Cable will account for the majority of the 22 million households still receiving analogue signals, with analogue terrestrial and analogue satellite representing a combined total of just 4.5 million.

Western Europe: Digital penetration of TV households in 2012 (%)

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media

The 400-page report Western European TV (11th edition) is published by Informa Telecoms & Media. Informa Telecoms & Media produces a wide range of media business publications, including TV International, New Media Markets, Cable & Satellite Europe and Television Business International. It publishes a market-leading portfolio of regional TV reports – including Asia Pacific TV, Americas TV, Middle East & Africa TV and Eastern European TV.

About Western European TV (11th edition)

Western European TV (11th edition) looks at present market trends, and evaluates the future direction the market is taking. It includes important illustrative statistics and reliable forecasts to 2012. It contains detailed information on all TV platforms across 15 countries including Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries.