Screen Digest: Set-top box market to peak in 2012

A new report from Screen Digest estimates the worldwide market for set-top boxes will peak in 2012 at 127 million units shipped. The report attributed the projected growth, up from 2008's 104 million units shipped, to the conversion to digital television and growing demand for HD services.

The report also said shipments of IPTV set-top boxes will drop off significantly by 2013, as the report predicts continued low customer adoption rates by telco TV providers and low ARPUs leading to waning investment in the segment.

"While the opportunity presented by IP technology is very real, walled-garden IPTV will not overturn the traditional pay-TV operators," Tom Morrod, Senior Analyst at Screen Digest and author of the report said.  "The real growth in IP sales will come through traditional satellite and cable operators and is likely to benefit vendors with relationships in the traditional TV market and strong IP technologies."

Emerging markets are expected to generate the most growth in the set-top box market, with North America and Europe growing more slowly due to a more robust competitive landscape. The Screen Digest report mirrored findings by ABI Research, released in December 2008, that point to a 2012 peak for the STB market. 

For more:
- see the IPTV News article here 

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