Cable / Telecom News

Set top demand to decline after 2010


THE SUBSCRIPTION TELEVISION industry is characterized by two broad growth patterns: maturing markets with decaying rates and high growth/emerging markets, says research firm In-Stat In more mature markets, such as North America, growth will come from premium services (HD and DVR/PVR), while emerging/high growth markets will experience a period of relatively robust subscriber acquisition likely followed by consolidation and a gradual decay in the growth rate, says the company. "Within mature markets, demand for set-top boxes is expected to soften, if not decline," said Michael Inouye, In-Stat analyst, in a release. "These markets will have growth in the number of...