The number of DTH homes in Russia should reach 8 million by the end of 2012, according to a study produced by J’son & Partners Consulting.
However, reports CNews, growth in the subscriber base will then start to gradually decline due to increased competition, characterised by low initial cost and user interactivity.
J’son & Partners Consulting says that the key market trends in the Russian DTH market will include a decrease in ARPU; the transition to DVB-S2, allowing for more efficient use of satellite capacity; HD and 3D TV; and a slowdown in the growth of the market leader Tricolor TV.
J’son & Partners Consulting adds that Tricolor TV, NTV-Plus and Orion Express currently account for over 95% of the DTH subscriber base in Russia, while Raduga TV and Platforma HD claim less than 5%.
As of the end of 2010, Tricolor TV had over 5 million subscribers, paying a minimal monthly fee of R50 (€1.24). NTV-Plus, aimed at the premium segment, had 630,000 and Orion Express around 300,000 respectively.
Platforma HD and Raduga TV meanwhile had 50,000 and 150,000 respectively.
