IPTV will account for 24% of UK media connections by end-2018

Monday, November 17th, 2014
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Quantum-Web analysis shows that IPTV share of media* connections (vs Cable TV and DTH) doubled during 2014, rising from 7.4% at end-2013 to 14.9% at end-2014. This shift towards IPTV will continue and IPTV will account for 23.7% of UK media connections by end-2018.

Supply-side factors have been driving IPTV’s share growth in recent times; all the major broadcasters now offer a variation of the ‘iPlayer’ and UK smartphone penetration is now comfortably over 70%, which will only continue to rise as around 85% of new mobile devices sales in UK are for smartphones. And, of course, there are compelling demand side factors: consumers everywhere put a high value convenience and UK consumers are particularly privileged to find themselves at the front-edge of iPlayer offerings and development.

TV Trend in the UK

Looking ahead, Quantum-Web foresees IPTV’s share of connections continuing to rise, albeit at a slower rate than 2013/14, reaching 23.7% by end-2018. In terms of absolute connection numbers, IPTV will overtake Cable towards the end of 2018. We predict that DTH connection numbers will decline, but only modestly as providers of these services will aggressively market compelling service bundles and content propositions, especially sports and own-produced programming, to protect their base. As an explanatory note: our analysis refers to primary media connections and does not include multiple paid-TV platforms per household.

* ‘Media’ = includes DTH (Direct to Home), Digital Terrestrial TV, Cable TV and IPTV