India Holds #2 Slot In Global Pay-TV Market

India is number two in the worldwide pay-TV market, in terms of subscription, according to a study by ABI Research. China holds the top slot.

Lower levels of pay-TV penetration in these countries translate into opportunities to expand the subscriber base, says the study. The growing numbers of digital TV and high speed broadband households in the APAC region enable operators to deliver advanced pay-TV packages such as high–definition (HDTV) and IPTV that offer more options to customers. The Asia-Pacific region, which owns 57% of global pay-TV subscriptions, remains the largest pay-TV market in the world.

According to market data quoted in the study, there were more than 704 million pay-TV subscribers globally at the end of 2010, an increase of more than 56 million subscribers from 2009. In 2010, more than half of all pay-TV subscribers are digital TV subscribers. Launches of HDTV services via a variety of pay-TV platforms are being accelerated by operators around the world. In 2011, total HDTV subscriptions are expected to reach 225 million.

ABI Research is a market intelligence company specializing in global connectivity and emerging technology.