Digital STB sales surpass 100mn in 2007

February 25, 2008 – Sales of digital set-top boxes worldwide broke through the 100mn barrier for the first time last year, according to new research from research firm Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices.

The report, entitled “Digital TV Set-Top Boxes”, found that annual sales reached 102.4mn, an increase of 12% from the previous year.  IPTV’s market share increased from 3.6% in 2006 to 5.9% in 2007, and cable’s market share rose to 36.2%, while the market share of satellite and terrestrial decreased.

For this year, the report forecasts a sure in demand for DTT set-top boxes, due to the impending analogue switch-off in the US and elsewhere.  “We expect the Asia-Pacific region to overtake North America and Europe in 2008, accounting for a third of this year’s 129mn sales,” said Peter King, Director of the Connected Home Devices division.  “Sales of digital terrestrial TV boxes in Europe have now plateaued, as consumers begin to transition to integrated digital TV sets, but this pattern is unlikely to prevent overall market growth across all platforms.”

Annual sales of digital set-top boxes are expected to reach nearly 200mn worldwide by 2012.