Television in Eastern Europe is becoming digital - Mediasat - Journal Mediasat

Analytical Agency Digital TV Research released the results of its study on the transition of Eastern Europe to digital television. This writes the Cable Guy. According to the agency, to date, more than 50% of households have local access to a digital signal, whereas in the late 2008 this level does not exceed 20%.

According to the forecast

Digital TV Research, by the end of 2013 the penetration rate of digital TV in Eastern Europe will reach 61.4% by the end of 2018 – 97.3%. Thus, over the next five years, “figure” cover about 121 million households.

Analysts also point out that in the period from 2008 to 2012 the number of households connected to the analogue terrestrial TV in the region fell by 30 million – to 37.2 million, with increased number of subscribers connected to digital terrestrial television – 13 million estimated Digital TV Research, by 2018 the penetration rate will reach 43.3 million DTT households.

«Now the main aspirations of the industry aimed at 21.7 million subscribers are subscribers to analog cable TV. Most of these households upgraded to digital cable, but there will be those who will move to IPTV or DTH. Also among them will be the subscribers who do not want to pay more for TV services. And the most attractive option for them would be free DTT (or even paid), “- says Statistics Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research.

Murray also notes that the pay-TV operators in this situation is beneficial to disable the analog signal occurred slowly. This will give them time to lure customers to their side until they had “tasted” the advantages of terrestrial free-to-air television.

If not at the expense of analog cable TV subscribers, then by other means, but by 2018 PayTV operators will be able to increase its revenues in Eastern Europe by 31% – from the current $ 5.759 billion (up to 2012) to $ 7.544 billion . At the same time most of the revenue will provide the Russian market – $ 2.2 billion – according to Digital TV Research. But the lowest revenues will show Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary and Montenegro. Analysts attribute this to the transition of subscribers packs double-and triple-play, where the total ARPU above, and individually for each service – below, as well as increased competition in these markets.