[CMA TV] IPTV viewers to increase tenfold, says report

[Diane Reid]

IPTV subscribers to increase 10X by 2010

The number of households watching television delivered via internet
protocols will rise from 2.7m at the end of 2005 to 25.9m by the end of
2010.

That's the prediction of publishing group Informa Telecoms & Media after
studying the take-up of internet protocol television (IPTV) in 50 countries
worldwide.

Report author Adam Thomas said: "IPTV is entering a crucial stage in its
development. It is moving away from a technology under trial, into full
commercial deployment.

"But with so many other pay-TV services already established, its biggest
challenge is to find a compelling strategy that can attract subscribers away
from other platforms. There are several ways it can attempt to do this,
including initiatives such as low price points, the licensing of unique
content, or through technical innovations."

Informa reckons that in 2010 China will be the leading IPTV market, with
4.9m subscribers. The US will have 3.4m and France 2.5m, making it the
largest IPTV nation in Europe. Germany will follow with 2m subscribers,
Italy will have 1.6m, the UK 1.45m and Spain 777,000.

Diane Reid
Director
Community Media Association
Access to the media for people and communities
http://www.commedia.org.uk/
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