The total number of channels on DTT networks in Europe  is now almost 1,800 (compared to almost 1,500 in October 2010) according to the latest figures from the European Audiovisual Observatory. The total includes a very large number of local channels although local/regional channels are only on the DTT platforms in 12 EU countries.  There are very significant numbers of local channels in Italy, Spain and Denmark.

Fig. 1: Split of DTT channels in the EU by coverage

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Stark Moore Macmillan, a specialist maritime marketing agency, and VT iDirect, Inc. (iDirect),released the results from the largest and most comprehensive maritime VSAT survey ever undertaken. The survey revealed that up to 30% of current non-VSAT users planned to conduct trials of VSAT within the next 24 months. Among other key findings was an indication that establishing a clear business case for VSAT would encourage greater adoption among shipping operators.

Industry to Emerge from Cyclical “Trough” with New Crest in 2016 Averaging 70 Launches Annually 

According to NSR's newest market research report, Global Satellite Manufacturing and Launch Markets released today, the industry should launch satellites worth collectively over $250 Billion over the next 15 years. NSR expects that the stability offered by GEO ComSat replacements, the Ka-band/HTS “me too” syndrome, Government contracts and the steady stream of Science & Navigation missions should see over 1,600 satellites launched by 2025.

Asia Pacific is undergoing a digital TV boom that will see penetration increase from 29% in 2010 to 73% in 2016 – or up by nearly 400 million homes, according to a new report from Digital TV Research. Fast-growth economies, higher disposable incomes and rising populations will lead this expansion. Digital TV Asia Pacific calculated that these factors will also result in 92 million more TV households between 2010 and 2016.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Brazil - Mobile Market - Overview, Statistics and Forecasts" report to their offering.  Brazil's mobile market is the fifth largest in the world. Though penetration has passed the 100% mark, the number of subscribers continues to grow, as many Brazilians have more than one SIM card.

Annual global IP traffic will reach the zettabyte threshold (966 exabytes or nearly 1 zettabyte) by the end of 2015 according to the latest Visual Networking Index by Cisco.   In 2015, global IP traffic will reach 966 exabytes per year or 80.5 exabytes per month.

Highlights of the report include:

Global IP traffic has increased eightfold over the past 5 years, and will increase fourfold over the next 5 years. Overall, IP traffic will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32 percent from 2010 to 2015.

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.