Introduction
As analogue switch off looms in both the US and Western Europe - and competition increases in the sector - it is essential for players across the value chain to have an understanding of market trends, dynamics and industry developments.

Scope
Addresses drivers and challenges facing the adoption of digital television including consumer demand and evolving regulatory models.
Outlines developments in cable, satellite, digital terrestrial television (DTT) and IPTV sectors providing household subscriber forecasts for each.
Highlights recent industry merger and acquisition activity that is set to transform the digital TV landscape.
Highlights
Digital cable is expected to illustrate significant growth particularly as analogue cable is switched to digital services. By 2012 there will be an estimated 69 million digital cable households with a CAGR of 8.4% from 2006 in the US and Western Europe.

By the end of 2012, Datamonitor estimates that there will be around 24.7 million IPTV households with a CAGR of c50% in Western Europe. The largest market is expected to be France with Spain, Germany and the UK coming close behind.

The Netherlands, Germany and the US have seen significant private investment into their respective cable and broadcasting sectors. Private equity and investor groups are growing increasingly interested in these services as they represent the opportunity for a continuous revenue stream through a relatively secure investment.

Reasons to Purchase
Determine key trends across a variety of digital TV platforms.
Gain insight into market growth split by platform and region.

DATAMONITOR VIEW 1
CATALYST 1
SUMMARY 1
ANALYSIS 3
Consumer demand drives the adoption of digital television 3
Demand for quality content and interactive services grows 3
Consumers are faced with multiple methods to obtain digital broadcast content 4
Non traditional players boost competition in the video aggregation market 5
Regulatory challenges arise with the current entertainment environment 5
Strong growth set for digital television services across the globe 5
Cable and satellite players will continue to hold dominant positions 6
Western European cable services illustrate high growth with satellite remaining steady 7
Digital cable and satellite in the US illustrates measured growth 8
Europe will have significantly higher IPTV subscriber base than the US 9
France expected to remain as IPTV market leader 9
IPTV set for strong growth in US despite a small subscriber base 10
DTT set for explosive growth in Europe and sluggish uptake in the US 11
DTT service deployed across Europe in time for analogue switch-off 11
US DTT usage expected to remain relatively low 13
Broadcasting industry set for heavy consolidation to boost economies of scale 13
European cable sector involved in heavy consolidation, private investment and re-branding 13
Acquisition activity continues in the US cable market 14
Private capital continues to flow into the US and European Cable Markets 15
APPENDIX 16
Definitions 16
Methodology 17
Further reading 17
Ask the analyst 17
Datamonitor consulting 17
Disclaimer 17