Half of Czech households now watch pay-TV services.
According to ongoing research by the Association of Television Organisations (ATO), 21.3% opt for satellite TV, 15.5% cable and 13% IPTV. There is also a growing interest in thematic channels.
Commenting on these trends, Pavel Müller, head of research and marketing at AtMedia, said: “The increase in the number of households with pay-TV may be related to the transition from DVB-T to DVB-T2. In connection with it, Czechs decide whether to buy a set-top box or a new television, and whether to continue watching only free-to-air television stations, or to the offer of one of the pay-TV operators”.
The research, for the period Q3 2019 to Q12 2020, also shows that the number of Czech households that watch mostly FTA channels has thus fallen to 50%. However, it is still higher than most neighbouring countries, where pay-TV dominates. In Germany, for instance, 98% of households watch DTH, cable or IPTV services, while in Austria and Slovakia the figures are 94% and 88% respectively. Only in Poland are the figures similar to those in the Czech Republic, with pay-TV services received in 64% of households.
