Although global pay-TV revenues for 138 countries peaked at $202 billion in 2016, they are set to fall to $150 billion in five years’ time.
This, according to the findings of the latest report produced by Digital TV Research, will be despite the number of pay-TV subscribers rising by 35 million between 2019 and 2025.
Revenues will decline in 61 countries between 2019 and 2025, with the US will provide the most dramatic fall – by $31 billion. Brazil and Canada will each lose more than $1 billion.
Commenting on the report, Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “Much of the losses are down to subscribers converting from standalone TV to a bundle where they pay more overall to the operator but less on TV services. Cord-cutting is also a major problem, especially in the US”.
On a positive note, India will gain $812 million in pay-TV revenues between 2019 and 2025 to take its total to $6 billion – up by 16%. The second biggest winner will be Indonesia, with a $719 million gain.
The top five countries will account for 56% of global pay-TV revenues by 2025. The next 15 countries will bring in a further 25%. Therefore, the top 20 countries will contribute 81% of pay-TV revenues by 2025.
Satellite TV revenues will fall by $18 billion between 2019 and 2025, with the US alone declining by $14 billion. IPTV revenues will be flat between 2019 and 2025 at $27 billion. Global cable TV revenues (digital and analogue together) peaked at $97 billion in 2012, but will fall to $63 billion in 2025.
Murray added: “Our forecasts assume that professional sports will restart in August following relaxations in the Covid 19 lockdown. If this does not happen, then pay-TV will experience considerable churn”.
For more information on the Global Pay-TV Revenue Forecasts report, please contact: Simon Murray, simon@digitaltvresearch.com, Tel: +44 20 8248 5051
