CABLE CONGRESS 2009 – BERLIN. TV will remain the core business of Europe’s cable industry, with a significant number of homes still receiving analogue services, for at least the next five years.
Data produced by Screen Digest says that the number of unique digital cable homes in the EU27 countries will rise from a year-end total of 67.9 million in 2008 to 73.3 million in 2013.
The percentage receiving digital service – 29%, equivalent to 18 million – will meanwhile rise to 76%, or 48 million, over the same period.
Screen Digest expects cable revenues to rise from €18.6 billion (2008) to €25.5 billion (2013), with ARPU being given a significant lift by the transition from analogue to digital.
Although DTT is likely to emerge as a very serious competitor to cable over the next five years, cable will emerge as the leading provider of true VOD, while still lagging behind satellite and IPTV in DVR deployment.
It will also become the leading provider of HD services, which are expected to be received in 12.5 million homes in 2013.
