DTT growing in the UK

Figures released yesterday by Ofcom, the UK media regulator, indicate that the incredible growth of the DVB-T based Freeview platform shows no sign of slowing. Since the platform was launched in October 2002, over 27 million DVB-T receivers have been sold. The bulk of these, 17.5 million, are set-top boxes, but the number of IDTVs (TVs with an integrated DVB-T tuner) is growing. In the last quarter of 2007, for example, 2.3 million IDTVs were sold, as against 1.8 million set-top boxes.

In a market where 87% of homes now receive digital television, the terrestrial platform is the most popular with 37% of all homes watching DTT. Digital satellite commands 36% of the market (of which 4% watch free-to-air services), and digital cable has a 14% share.

Digital TV has been a real success in the UK and many other countries (e.g. New Zealand, Indonesia, etc...) are now looking to mirror that success by making a similar range of services available under similar circumstances.