The explosive growth of IPTV: Towards a revolution in television streaming.
The Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) sector attained a value of USD 72.34 billion in 2020, projected to surge to USD 193.21 billion by 2026, boasting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.98% from 2021 to 2026. This growth reflects a shift from conventional broadcast methods like cable or satellite TV towards internet streaming, with IPTV playing a pivotal role. Advancements in technology and network architecture have significantly facilitated this transition.
The surge in IPTV subscribers is attributed to technological advancements, driving demand for high-definition channels and video-on-demand. Expansion into new markets has further fueled subscription growth. The ascendancy of internet streaming services also propels the IPTV market forward. Companies are now bundling IPTV with Over-The-Top (OTT) services, video calls/conferencing, smart home features, and video gaming in comprehensive packages, appealing to customers and fostering market expansion.
Moreover, governmental initiatives in developing nations like India, aimed at promoting digital television, are stimulating IPTV adoption. Nevertheless, competition from local cable TV and satellite TV, driven by cost efficiencies and infrastructure challenges hindering seamless service quality, somewhat constrains IPTV uptake.
Main market trends
Market expansion is being fueled by the surging demand for high-definition channels and video-on-demand. Economic growth in emerging markets is bolstering disposable incomes, thereby elevating lifestyles, particularly in developing nations. This economic progression is paralleled by a substantial increase in internet penetration, prompting TV service consumers to seek enhanced user experiences in terms of quality and mobility.
The escalating prevalence of internet usage for video content streaming is a pivotal factor, highlighted by the average household in the United States consuming 190 GB of data in 2017, with video content accounting for 93% of this usage. Moreover, internet live streaming is amplifying internet utilization, playing a pivotal role in the expansion of IPTV.
Significant growth is expected to occur in the Asia-Pacific region.
The Asia-Pacific region emerges as a hotbed for IPTV growth, propelled by the rapid expansion of high-speed access and evolving content consumption habits. Nations like India and China, boasting GDP growth rates of 8.2% and 6.3% respectively in 2018, witness a surge in IPTV adoption in households, fueled by swift urbanization.
Investment in content availability has birthed a plethora of diverse offerings, rivaling even Hollywood productions. India, particularly, emerges as a content production powerhouse, churning out material tailored for both domestic and international audiences. The burgeoning number of smartphone users in the region further drives demand for mobile-centric IPTV services, with the Asia-Pacific cornering over half of the world's smartphone users, surpassing 3 billion in 2018.
In India, governmental initiatives geared towards digital transformation, such as cable TV digitization and direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting services, serve as catalysts for IPTV adoption. The emergence of network service providers has redefined the IPTV landscape, with some offering complimentary live IPTV subscriptions to clientele. With other players following suit, the region anticipates a substantial uptick in mobile device-oriented IPTV services.
To sum up, the IPTV market witnesses robust growth, buoyed by technological strides, swelling subscriber bases, and a hunger for premium content. The shift towards internet streaming and IPTV gains momentum, particularly in the Asia-Pacific, where governments actively bolster this transition through digital transformation initiatives.