Connected set-top market expected to double

The global market for internet connectable set-top boxes is expected to almost double over the next five years, according to research by IHS. 

According to IHS’s Set-Top Box Market Monitor, global shipments of connectable devices will grow to 125.6 million units by 2017, up from 65.8 million last year, meaning that a total of 45% of all set-tops shipped in 2017 will be connectable, up from 26% in 2012.

IHS predicts that multimedia home gateways and thin client devices for cable networks will account for 25% of connectable box shipments over the period from 2013-17.

According to the research group, IPTV pay TV operators account for the largest share of the connectable set-top market this year, with 39% of shipments. However, cable operators, driven by growth in China and multimedia home gateway migration globally, will account for 45.8 million shipments by 2017, says IHS.

The research group predicts that North America will continue to be largest single market for connectable pay TV set-tops, but that Asia Pacific will experience the fastest growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 17.2% between 2012 and 2017.