The number of online video viewers worldwide is expected to eclipse 1.3 billion by 2016, growing from a current 2010 base of just over 780 million. As more consumers look to their broadband connections for content, the Over the Top (OTT) video industry will likewise grow with many companies such as Netflix, Hulu and Apple’s iTunes division aiming to capitalize on this market trend.

According to new market data from ABI Research, 11.3 million pay-TV subscribers were added at the end of first quarter of 2011. “By the end of 2011, the total number of pay-TV subscriptions is expected to exceed 759 million,” says practice director Jason Blackwell of ABI Research.

Subscribers still paying despite allure of free over-the-top

Market research firm Infonetics Research today released excerpts from its Cable, Satellite, and IPTV Video Services and Subscribers report, which tracks the telco Internet protocol television (IPTV), cable video, and satellite video markets. The report highlights that worldwide revenue derived by providers of IPTV, cable video, and satellite video services grew to $240 billion in 2010, up 11% over 2009.

3D imaging, which adds depth to a 2D image, is receiving a lot of buzz and hype with an increasing number of 3D films being produced in a resurgence of interest from Hollywood studios. 3D has been popular in Hollywood at other times in the previous century, but the difference is that now, 3D viewing is possible in the home. As a result, the 3D TV set market is poised to grow dramatically in 2011—by almost 500%, according to In-Stat.

In 2011, the world’s annual data traffic volume will total almost 8,000 petabytes. That will grow at a CAGR of 50% over the following years, exceeding 60,000 petabytes in 2016 – over seven times more than in 2011. The year-on-year growth will be the fastest in 2012 (58%) and 2013 (56%), slightly slowing down thereafter, accoriding to ABI Research.

The Nielsen Company announced the 2012 Advance/Preliminary TV Household Universe Estimate (UE) is 114.7 million, down from 115.9 million in 2011. Marking the first integration of the 2010 Census counts, the 2012 UEs reflect an aging population, as Baby Boomers increasingly shift out of the 35-49 demographic, as well as greater ethnic diversity.

Nearly 20% of all TVs shipped in 2010 featured connected TV capabilities, according to the DisplaySearch Q1’11 Quarterly TV Design and Features Report, the connected TV category is forecast to grow to over 123 million shipments in 2014 (at a 30% compound annual growth rate). Emerging markets will also play a major role in this growth, with Eastern Europe forecast to grow from 2.5 million connected TVs shipped in 2010 to over 10 million in 2014. In addition, DisplaySearch findings indicate that 33% of flat panel TVs sold in China in 2013 will have internet capability.

New York City, April 20, 2011 – The World Teleport Association has published a new report, How to Deliver High Quality of Service 24x7x365, that explores the practices of teleport operators in delivering high levels of service while balancing customer expectations, technology and human capital investment with the bottom line of the business.

According to NSR's latest market research report, Broadband Satellite Markets, 10th Edition released today, satellite broadband access is again the leading revenue generator with NSR forecasting revenues from these services will grow almost 15% annually over the coming ten years. NSR expects the total satellite broadband market to generate $9 billion in revenues by 2020, driven primarily by satellite broadband Internet access and VSAT networking to enterprises.

Operators are investing significantly in equipment to deliver video efficiently to iPads and other streaming devices, including PCs, mobile phones and connected TVs. Video-on-Demand hardware, historically used primarily for pay-per-view content, is being repurposed to serve N-Screen or TV Everywhere platforms, while operators invest in Content Delivery Networks to ensure quality of delivery and efficient network utilization.