DTT Channels on the Rise in Europe

Strassbourg, France, June 8, 2011--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

The number of national and international channels available to DTT households (total on all packages) has increased to more than 820 in June 2011 (compared to 500 in April 2009). It should be noted that this includes many channels that are appearing on the DTT networks in more than one country, including many Pan-European channels.

In the EU, the number of channels available nationally varies widely between countries as below in fig 2. The maturity of the DTT market, the sharing of frequencies between channels and the availability of pay TV packages may influence this. For example, the most recent launches in Ireland and Portugal have the least number of channels. At the other end of the scale, Italy has a far higher number of national channels than all other EU countries.

Fig. 2: National Channels on DTT networks in the EU

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Growth in the number of platforms and operators

As DTT roll-out continues, the number of operators also continues to grow. This reflects both the recent launches of DTT in several countries, and also the addition of new Pay DTT services, or regional/local multiplexes in others.

Fig. 3: Growth of number of DTT operators 2011

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Pay DTT services in June 2011

Pay DTT services are available in 14 EU countries, Germany (limited), the United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Sweden, and also in various non-EU European countries such as Iceland, Albania, Norway, "the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia" and Switzerland. There is a balance between the number of national channels available via Pay and FTA platforms. Local channels appear primarily on the FTA DTT platforms.

Fig 4: Division between FTA and PAY DTT National channels in the EU

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Public and private

The public channels continue to play an important role on the FTA platforms (more than one third of these are public channels) but logically less so on the pay platforms (less than 10% are public).

Fig 5: Proportion of Public/ Private National DTT channels in the EU: Free and Pay platforms

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Genre of TV channels

There is a strong distinction between the variety of genres on pay and FTA DTT platforms. This is also logical as the FTA platforms have a stronger presence of the national generalist channels, while the Pay platforms have a much higher number of, for example, film, sports and documentary channels.

Fig 6: Genre of channels on Pay DTT networks in the EU (excluding local)

Source: MAVISE June 2011

Cultural and educational channels have a stronger presence on FTA platforms. Home Shopping channels are also more common on the free platforms.

Fig. 7: Genre of channels on FTA DTT networks in the EU (excluding local)

Source: MAVISE June 2011

HD channels

HD channels are available on DTT platforms in thirteen EU countries (as compared to eight in October 2010): CZ, DK, FI, FR, GR, HU, IT, LV, LT, LU, ES, SE, GB and also in NO. HD channels are available on both FTA and Pay platforms in most of these countries (except Latvia and Lithuania where HD is on Pay DTT only). On the FTA platforms, the channels are the simulcast or HD versions of the major national public and private generalist channels. On the pay TV platforms the HD channels are niche channels, film channels and pan-European documentary channels. 3D DTT tests are being carried out in several EU countries (ES, IT, GB, NL, SE etc.). 3DVoD is already available in Italy.

Fig. 8: HD Channels in the EU and on DTT platforms

Source: MAVISE June 2011