The number of OTT subscribers is expected to overtake those receiving cable services next year.
Quoting 1+1 Media, Mediasat reports that last year the figures were 0.9 million and 3.6 million respectively and that they will be 2.3 million and 2.5 million respectively in 2021.
1+1 also forecasts that the minimum cost of receiving TV services will rise to UAH99 (€3) by next year.
1+1 notes that although the encryption of satellite channels earlier this year provided an impetus for growth, equivalent to 13% of 600,000 subscribers, 2.4 million viewers, or 1.2 million more than predicted, preferred to continue watching unencrypted satellite channels. This was influenced by the decision of the Ukrainian president to impose a moratorium on the encryption and subsequent decision of media groups to launch unencrypted versions of their channels.
Other key trends identified this year include consolidation of the pay-TV market, rapid growth of OTT services, continued popularity of linear TV, emergence of Ukrainian HD channels and increase in market’s value.
