Global pay TV revenues ‘to peak in 2017’

Global pay TV revenues will peak in 2017, but will not decline rapidly in the five years afterwards due to gains in Asia, Africa and the Middle East, according to new research.

The Digital TV Research report claims that pay TV revenues will reach US$202 billion worldwide this year but will remain as high as US$200 billion (€184 billion) in 2022 – despite a loss in revenues in North America and Europe.

Between 2016 and 2022 the research predicts that pay TV revenues will fall by a massive US$12 billion in North America, will be down US$566 million in Western Europe and will fall by US$28 million in Eastern Europe.

However, Asia Pacific – which overtook Western Europe in 2013 – is expected to record a US$5.75 billion increase in pay TV revenues.

Sub-Saharan African pay TV revenues are tipped to climb by US$2.40 billion and Middle East and North African revenues by US$0.59 billion between 2016 and 2022.

Sub-Saharan Africa passed MENA in 2016 and will overtake Eastern Europe in 2021, according to the report.

“Revenues will more than double for 13 countries between 2016 and 2022. India will add the most revenues by some distance, with China also recording impressive gains. Asia will account for seven of the top 10 gainers,” said Digital TV Research principal analyst, Simon Murray.

In 2022 the research tips North America to account for 47.5% of global pay TV revenues, down from the 58.3% in 2010.

Between 2016 and 2022 global analogue cable revenues are expected to fall by US$8.77 billion and digital cable TV revenues by US$3.14 billion.

Over the same period IPTV revenues are expected to climb by US$2.34 billion and satellite by US$6.66 billion – more than any other platform.