The European market for IPTV will double in 2007, according to the latest figures from media analysts Screen Digest.
The research examines the 54 IPTV services across Europe, 19 of which are in operation in the UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.
IPTV is the fastest growing pay-TV platform by far, outstripping all other platforms combined. Screen Digest forecasts that subscriptions to IPTV services across Europe will almost double from 2.9 million in 2006 to 5.6 million in 2007. Almost 1 million of the new subscribers will be in France, according to Screen Digest.
The top five IPTV operators in Europe — Orange, Telefónica, Free Telecom, Neuf Telecom and Fastweb — accounted for 60 percent of the total IPTV market in the five countries at the end of 2006. Screen Digest expects these operators will remain in their respective positions throughout 2007, with Neuf Telecom and Free Telecom vying for second place in France.
One key factor driving IPTV growth is the familiarity consumers have with companies offering the service. Orange, BT, Telefonica, Deutsche Telecom and Telecom Italia were already established brand names in their markets, giving them an advantage when promoting the service.
For more information, visit: www.screendigest.com.
