Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8°W video audience exceeds 50 million homes

Audience of the Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West Video Neighbourhood Breaks Barrier of 50 Million Homes in Middle East and North Africa
 
Eutelsat announces headline results of its 2014 TV Observatory in the Middle East and North Africa:

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates & PARIS — CABSAT 2014 — Eutelsat Communications (Paris:ETL) today unveiled at Cabsat Dubai the results of its new survey on TV reception modes and trends across the Middle East and North Africa.

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO, commented on the figures: “Our new survey confirms the exceptional dynamics of the video market in the Middle East and North Africa and the key role played by satellites that now reach into more than nine out of ten homes in the region. This result reflects longstanding partnerships between Eutelsat, Gulfsat, Nilesat, Noorsat, Viewsat and anchor media groups, including Al Jazeera, MBC and OSN that are experiencing strong commercial success and are well placed for further expansion in the region.

The survey also confirms the leadership of the Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8 West neighbourhood whose audience of more than 50 million homes can receive an unequalled line-up of 1,050 Arabic and international channels. Going forward, we believe that the move to higher quality afforded by HD and, for the future, 4K will further consolidate satellite as a core infrastructure in the region.”

Satellite: the preferred digital infrastructure across Middle East and North Africa

Overall, the MENA satellite TV universe continues to expand and satellite is the first choice for multi-channel viewing. Out of a population base of 77.1 million TV homes across 15 countries, more than nine out of ten (92%) favour satellite reception for pay-tv or free-to-air viewing. In 2010, satellite reception accounted for 67% of TV homes in the region, showing like for like(1) increased penetration of 25 percentage points over the last three years.

MENA TV reception (million homes)

                       2008  2010  2013
                       ----  ----  ----
DTH/SMATV              32.7  37.7  71.3
Analogue Terrestrial   21.1  18.2   4.7
IPTV                                0.7
Others
                       ----  ----  ----
TOTAL                  53.9  59.5  77.1

Over the same period, the number of homes receiving analogue terrestrial TV slumped from 18.2 million in 2010 to 4.7 million in 2013, confirming satellite as the most popular route to digital switchover. IPTV has gained some ground in the Gulf with 0.7 million households exclusively IPTV equipped.

Free-to-air still driving growth

Free-to-air remains by far the most widespread reception mode across the region, accounting for 94% of satellite homes in 2013, up from 90% in 2010.

Eutelsat – Nilesat 7/8 ° West neighbourhood: first choice for multi-channel viewing

The Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West neighbourhood has further anchored its leading position, with an audience of 51.5 million homes. On a like for like basis, 63% growth was recorded in the 10 countries included in the 2010 and 2013 studies. Viewer attraction to the 7/8° West neighbourhood is driven by a strong channel line-up which grew by 50% over the period to 1,050 Arabic and International channels. Excluding Iran, where Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD satellites are the primary video neighbourhood, the Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West position enjoys an average penetration rate of over 90% of satellite homes in MENA.

Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West audience (million homes)

           2008  2010  2013
           ----  ----  ----
FTA        22.6  24.4  48.8
Pay         1.8   2.5   2.7
           ----  ----  ----
TOTAL      24.6  26.9  51.5

HDTV: 29% of TV homes now equipped in Middle East and North Africa

The number of homes equipped with an HD Ready or Full HD display has crossed a threshold of 20 million, accounting for 29% of TV homes in the region. Penetration of HD consumer equipment in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Jordan is above 50%. Of the 41.3 million homes not equipped for HDTV, 50% intend to buy an HD display within the next 12 months

Where to meet Eutelsat at Cabsat Dubai, Dubai World Trade Centre, 11-13 March: Eutelsat stand: Hall 1 – Stand E1-10

The objective of Eutelsat’s observatory is to monitor the evolution of consumer TV reception modes and trends(2) including analysis of reception platforms (satellite, cable, DTT, IPTV, analogue terrestrial), breakdown between free-to-air and pay-tv, breakdown by orbital position and assessment of HD consumer equipment take-up.

1. Excluding Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Oman and Yemen which were added to the 2013 edition but not surveyed in 2010.
2. Survey not inclusive of hotels, public administration buildings, hospitality structures, oil rigs & platforms