Multiscreen to equal set-top TV delivery for major operators in 2015

Almost half of all devices that receive TV services from the largest global pay TV service providers by 2015 will be PCs, smartphones, tablets and other multiscreen devices, according to the latest report from IHS Screen Digest.

IHS predicts that the top 43 global pay TV operators will supply TV services to 310 million active multiscreen devices by 2015, compared with 322 million set-top boxes. Set-tops will account for 51% of receiving devices, down from 82% today, according to the report.

The global set-top box base from multiscreen operators is expected to grow by 17% between 2011 and 2015, compared with 400% growth for multiscreen devices receiving pay TV services. However, multiscreen operators will account for only about a third of all set-tops installed globally by 2015, compared with about half of all set-tops today, meaning that globally, set-tops will still account for the majority of pay TV screens.