Standard-definition will continue to dominate, says report

With two standard-definition channels entering the market for every HD service, some 64% of subscription TV revenues over the next 10 years outside of North America and western Europe will still come from SD services, according to a report by Northern Sky Research.

Global DTH revenues are expected to amount to US$123 billion by 2021, up from US$79 billion (€95 billion) in 2012.

According to NSR, there are about 20,000 SD, HD and 3D channels delivered by over 100 DTH platform across the world today. Of these, SD accounts for 78%, with HD accounting for 22% and 3D for only 0.1%.

“It’s easy to forget the larger picture when everyone talks about HD, 3D, OTT, and UltraHD being just around the corner,” said Brad Grady, author of Global Direct-to-Home (DTH) Markets and NSR analyst. “Although DVR subscribers will generate the most in subscription revenues over the next ten years – driven by North America and western Europe – over 64% of subscription revenues for the rest of the world will come from SD subscribers. As south Asia overtakes North America in total DTH subscribers in the next year, these growing markets will be a continued focus for the DTH industry.  However, looking in the next five to ten years, a steady shift towards HD content and HD or DVR subscription tiers is occurring across the globe.”