Dutch cable and DTH operators are reporting a slow take-up of HD subscriptions. Based on figures presented by Ziggo and Canal Digitaal, Broadband TV News now estimates the total number of actual HD homes in The Netherlands to be between 80,000 and 85,000.
During the HD Day in Hilversum yesterday, Kees Färber from DTH platform Canal Digitaal said it now has 5,000 HD homes. Frans Schrijver of Ziggo added that a total of 42,000 HD set-top boxes had been sold till now. UPC’s VP content Ivo Lochtman said its figures were “in line” with Ziggo’s.
The slow take-up of HD subscriptions is in sharp contrast with record sales of flat screens in The Netherlands. During the month of May, “an all-time record” was reached with 165,000 sets sold, according to GfK’s Barbara Schouten. During the whole of 2008, GfK expects total sales will be 375,000 for Full HD and 1.2 million for HD ready sets.