Consumer interest in 4K UHD is growing at such a pace that it is likely to surpass 100 million shipments, that’s according to the latest market tracking report from Futuresource Consulting.
“This year, we’re expecting annual 4K UHD TV shipments to power past 100 million units,” says Tristan Veale, Market Analyst at Futuresource, “and the market will continue to grow with double-digit CAGR throughout our forecasting period to 2022.
The analysts say that HDR (high dynamic range) will be included in half of all 4K UHD TVs sold worldwide in 2018, though consumer understanding remains limited.
Asia Pacific leads the way in volume, helped along by China, the largest single market for 4K UHD. North America has also seen strong uptake of 4K UHD, with rapidly declining prices and a general preference for larger screens to match the larger-than-average homes in the region. In Europe, the positive picture continues, with Futuresource anticipating shipments to grow by 30% this year.
“When it comes to the content, SVOD remains the primary gateway for consumers to get their UHD fix,” says Veale. “Netflix is the key service driving UHD SVOD spend. Depending on the country, around 20% to 30% of subscribers have opted for the UHD premium tier.
February’s Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup accelerated many broadcasters’ plans to introduce 4K UHD coverage, making high-quality streams available.
