A new study from SNL Kagan reports that pay-TV operators are increasingly using HD service to distinguish themselves in competitive markets. “HD programming is shaping multi-channel economics globally, delivering competitive advantages and significant new revenue streams,” the report says.
In 2007, the United States dominates the pay-HD market with 6 million homes accessing 1080i or 720p via cable, satellite or IPTV subscriptions. When free HD programming is mixed in, Japan walks away with the largest HD base (9.2 million households). But Kagan forecasts the U.S. will overtake Japan by the end of 2008, with 6 million additional homes adopting HD.
Apart from sheer volume, Canada and France lead the world in HD penetration of premium TV households.
SNL Kagan estimates that the 10 top HD markets will generate “aggregate HDTV video service revenues” in excess of $1 billion in 2007, $11 billion by 2014, and $12 billion by 2016.
Kagan’s report, “Global High Definition Television Trends,” examines markets in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, the United Kingdom and the United States.
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