IPTV shows strong growth in Q1 2009

Source: http://point-topic.com/content/dslanalysis/BBAq109iptv.htm accessed 8 September 2009.

IPTV subscribers totalled almost 24 million by the end of Q1 2009 (23.99 million), up 9.77 per cent on Q4 2008 from 21.86 million and up 56.2 per cent year-on-year from 15.36 million. These figures are based on extensive research undertaken by broadband analysts at Point Topic. They are based on subscriber figures published in reliable sources, with estimates where necessary.

In terms of annual growth, IPTV proved to be a huge success story in Eastern Europe. Operators in this region offer a wide range of IPTV services which have proved to be particularly popular.

“Operators in Eastern European countries such as Poland, Czech Republic, Slovenia and Russia have all successfully launched IPTV services,” said John Bosnell, senior analyst at Point Topic. “A typical example is the Croatian incumbent T-Hrvatski Telecom, which added almost 100,000 new IPTV subscribers in the 12 months to Q1 2009, representing almost 170 per cent annual growth,” said Bosnell

One reason for this growth is because IPTV is a relatively new service in Eastern Europe.

“Growth is high in Eastern Europe because IPTV take up is still relatively low when compared to other regions such as North America and Asia Pacific,” said Bosnell. "This is good news for operators and subscribers, because there is plenty of potential for growth coupled with a wide range of IPTV services so cost should remain low,” said Bosnell.

The North American IPTV subscriber base continues to grow, with the three big players all adding new subscribers over the quarter. They were AT&T (27 per cent growth), Telus (25 per cent) and Verizon (16 per cent).

In South and East Asia, the Chinese operators continue to dominate in terms of net additions during Q1 2009. China Telecom added 250,000 new subscribers (14.3 per cent growth), while the newly merged entity China Unicom (Hong Kong) Ltd added 100,000 subscribers (13.33 per cent).

Source: http://point-topic.com/content/dslanalysis/BBAq109iptv.htm accessed 8 September 2009.