Two-thirds of pay TV operators to grow subscribers

Two-thirds of pay TV operators will gain subs

Two-thirds of the world’s pay TV operators will gain subscribers between 2019 and 2025. Covering 502 operators across 135 countries, the Global Pay TV Operator Forecasts report estimates that 59% will also increase their revenues over the same period.

The top 50 operators accounted for 46% of the world’s pay TV subscribers by end-2019. However, the top 10 will lose subscribers over the next five years, with the next 40 operators flat. Operators beyond these positions will gain subscribers.

Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “By end-2019, 13 operators had more than 10 million paying subscribers. This will reach 14 operators by 2025.”

Eight operators will add more than 1 million subscribers between 2019 and 2025. China Unicom will win the most subs (19.96 million), followed by China Telecom (18.52 million).

Eight operators will lose 1 million or more subscribers between 2019 and 2025, led by China Radio and TV with a 37 million loss. The next five losers will all be from the US.

The Global Pay TV Operator Forecasts report covers 502 operators with 732 platforms [134 digital cable, 118 analog cable, 283 satellite, 140 IPTV and 57 DTT] across 135 countries.