Skip to main content

Digital Hybrid STB Market to Quadruple by 2014

With Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity becoming a standard feature in most consumer electronics (CE) devices with a screen, the television and associated media industries -- in particular,  the incumbent pay-TV service providers -- are attempting to fully understand the disruptive impact on their core business.

Hybrid set-top boxes (STB), that utilize both broadcast and broadband connectivity, could be vital tools that enable network broadcasters and pay-TV service operators to compete with low-cost high-value over-the-top (OTT) video offerings, such as Netflix and LOVEFiLM, according to the latest market study by In-Stat.

"When Apple began supporting applications on their Apple iPhone, a whole new industry was created with about half a million apps now available worldwide," says Gerry Kaufhold, Principal Analyst.

Now, with a multitude of connected TV devices moving into the market, Internet Video is becoming the new must-have service. TV programs may eventually become apps themselves to provide a direct-to-consumer engagement with titles, brands and ultimately with advertisers.

However, a more likely scenario, hybrid STBs could also be used to totally by-pass the incumbent pay-TV distributors, as some major content producers discover that they could use their established brand awareness to go directly to consumers with OTT video offerings -- at potentially much higher profit margins.

In-Stat's market research findings include:

- Western Europe will be the world's hotbed for development of hybrid applications and services with over 70 companies joining the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband initiative.

- Digital Terrestrial Hybrid STBs will more than quadruple in volume from 2010 to 2014.

- Over 2.7 million Hybrid STBs will be in use in Eastern Europe by 2014.

Popular posts from this blog

Securing the Future of Cellular IoT Apps

The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to expand. According to the latest worldwide market study by Juniper Research, they forecast a 90 percent growth in cellular IoT devices by 2028, with the global number reaching 6.5 billion. This exponential rise presents both exciting opportunities and significant challenges. While the growth of cellular IoT unlocks a vast potential for innovation in smart cities, industrial automation, and remote monitoring, it also requires device management and security advancements. Cellular IoT Market Development Juniper's research highlights the critical role of intelligent infrastructure management solutions. These platforms will empower the users to automate critical tasks such as device configuration, real-time security management, and optimized wireless connectivity. The surge in cellular data usage, projected to reach 46 petabytes by 2028 compared to 21 petabytes today, further underscores the need for automation. This is where federated learning i