Hardware (DVD, TV, PMP, Set-top Box, …) News

FreeviewPlus doubles Australian penetration in less than 12 months
Dec 13, 2016 – Freeview Australia’s hybrid TV service FreeviewPlus has notched up strong growth in 2016, with the most recent figures showing household penetration has risen to 20% – double the figure released earlier this year.
News categories: Freeview Australia, Liz Ross, Australia, Digital TV, HbbTV, Market Research, Satellite, Set Top Box, Terrestrial

Virgin Media Ireland launches Netflix on Horizon TV
Dec 12, 2016 – Virgin Media customers can now watch all of their favourite Netflix shows seamlessly on the TV using their Netflix subscription on Virgin Media’s Horizon TV service.
News categories: Virgin Media, Netflix, Paul Farrell, Apps, Cable TV, Digital TV, Ireland, Set Top Box, Streaming

Netflix app added to UPC Switzerland's Horizon HD Recorder
Dec 12, 2016 – Thanks to the global partnership entered into between Liberty Global and Netflix, customers in Switzerland can now benefit from an app that can be operated directly on the Horizon HD Recorder.
News categories: UPC, Netflix, Eric Tveter, Apps, Cable TV, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Streaming, Switzerland

STB shipments expected to have grown in 2016
Dec 8, 2016 – According to SNL Kagan, worldwide STB shipments are on track to reach 273 million in 2016, up slightly from 269 million in 2015. Although unit volumes are expected to increase, STB revenues are again trending lower.
News categories: S&P Global, Digital TV, Market Research, Set Top Box, Worldwide

Rogers introduces NextBox 4K PVR
Dec 7, 2016 – Rogers Communications has announced that is introducing itsw NextBox 4K PVR, giving customers the ability to record up to eight 4K programs at one time and store up to 90 hours of 4K entertainment.
News categories: Rogers Communications, Sportsnet, Dirk Woessner, Scott Moore, Cable TV, Canada, Digital TV, DVR, Set Top Box

Digital video software market to exceed $9 billion by 2021
Dec 7, 2016 – The video software market is expected to exceed $9 billion in revenue by 2021, according to IHS Markit (Nasdaq: INFO). The atomization of media distribution and the switch from hardware-based technology to cloud implementations are key drivers.
News categories: IHS Markit, Cecilia Zhu, Content Distribution, Content Protection, Digital TV, Market Research, Middleware, Set Top Box, Worldwide

STB market to be worth $29.78 billion in 2024
Dec 6, 2016 – The worldwide set-top box market is anticipated to reach $29.78 billion by 2024, according to Grand View Research. Continuing migration from analog to digital TV has increased global demand for boxes.
News categories: Grand View Research, Digital TV, Market Research, Set Top Box, Worldwide

ShowMax is now on Android TV
Dec 6, 2016 – With the release of a new version of its Android app, ShowMax has increased the base of supported devices to include media players and smart TVs running Android TV.
News categories: ShowMax, Barron Ernst, Africa, Android TV, Apps, Digital TV, Set Top Box, Smart TV, South Africa, Streaming

GMA to begin DTT rollout in the Philippines
Dec 6, 2016 – GMA Network is spending $8.4m on transmitter facilities for its DTT project, while GMA New Media (NMI) has unveiled a prototype of a set-top box that can function as both a DTT receiver and a digital media player.
News categories: GMA Network, Felipe L. Gozon, Gilberto R. Duavit Jr, Content Distribution, Digital TV, ISDB-T, Philippines, Set Top Box, Terrestrial