Ultra HD channels set to boom, says report

LG Ultra HD Curved OLED TV.

There will be close to 300 ultra HD DTH satellite channels on air around the world by 2023, according to a report by NSR. 

According to the latest edition of the Global Direct-to-Home Markets report, the introduction of the first ultra HD channels to DTH homes in late 2015 will be followed by exceptional growth as consumers become aware of the format.

According to NSR, DTH platforms are likely to use ultra HD as a key differentiator against terrestrial competitors. The group predicts that annual leasing revenues from ultra HD content will reach US$125 million (€90 million) by 2023, with cumulative leasing revenues over the 10 years up to 2013 amounting to US$500 million.

According to the report, most of the ultra HD channels will be in established markets including North America and western Europe,but “several dozen” channels are expected to emerge in East Asia.

“Over 3.1 million Ultra HD TV sets were shipped in 2013, despite a lack of Ultra HD channels being broadcast yet, with the exception of a handful of demo channels, as well as some limited content via IPTV and YouTube,” said Alan Crisp, NSR analyst and report co-author.