Stereoscopic television will be available to nearly 40% of homes in Western Europe by 2015, according to new research from Futuresource Consulting.
“There are around 10 million televisions being sold each year in the UK – and that’s in a country that has just 25 million households,” said Jim Bottoms, Director of the consultancy. “That means that every home is going out and buying a TV every two and a half years.”
Although the figures also include the purchases of secondary as well as primary sets, Futuresource suggests CE manufacturers introducing new technologies and features into the marketplace can expect fairly rapid uptake and adoption, with 3D and connectivity driving the next period of change.
The consultancy says that it has only been in the last three years that screens measuring 42 inches and above have become affordable for the average household. This in turn has driven consumer demand for larger sized panels.
“Nearly 40% of homes in Western Europe will own a 3D TV by 2015,” said Bottoms, “which equates to an installed base of nearly 65 million. Whether consumers use the feature or not, they will be buying it by default, as the technology will increasingly be incorporated in many of the sets in manufacturers’ product ranges. And where previously there was little 3D content available, the growth and acceptance of 3D is now being driven by the broadcasters. Going forward, the increased availability of 3D content will encourage viewers to engage with and evaluate 3D offerings.”
In the last year, the number of broadcasters worldwide that are planning 3D content has grown almost threefold.
