The number of digital TV connections in the Netherlands grew by 3.8% or 204,200 net additions during th e first quarter of this year to 5.56 million on March 31, according to Telecompaper’s quarterly Dutch television subscribers report.
The total digital TV users include 3.16 million cable TV subscribers that have an analogue TV connection as well. Digital TV increased its share of th e entire TV market to 70%. The total number of Dutch TV connections increased to 7.94 million on March 31.
Most consumers receive digital TV via cable networks. Cable accounted for 56.8% of digital TV connections, after growing by 0.6% during the quarter, followed by terrestrial with 15.9% and satellite TV with 15.3%. Both DTT and DTH are losing market share.
IPTV and FTTH were able to increase th eir share of th e TV market to 9.8% and 2.2% respectively. Telecompaper expects th e digital TV connections to grow by 12% during this year to end it with around 6 million digital TV connections.
On th e digital TV market, cable operator Ziggo is th e largest provider with a market share of 34.5%. KPN consolidated its position as th e second-largest digital TV provider, ending Q1 2011 with 22.2% of th e market, followed by cable operator UPC with 16.6% and satellite TV provider CanalDigitaal with 14.0%.
