Preliminary results from IMS Research's forthcoming 2010 study on The World Market for STBs and iDTVs has revealed that Pace has taken the number one ranking for worldwide digital STBs shipped to pay-TV customers for 2009, unseating Motorola from its lead position.

For 2009, IMS Research's top five set-top box manufacturers include Pace, Motorola, Technicolor (formerly Thomson), Scientific Atlanta/Cisco, and Humax. Motorola's position is attributed to its leadership in the cable sector whilst Technicolor's focus and leadership continues to be in the satellite sector.

According to Rebecca Kurlak, co-author of the study, STB shipments grew 15.2 per cent year-over-year on a global basis from 2008 to 2009. Previously in 2008, Pace had held the third top spot in the rankings, increasing its shipments by 31 per cent year-over-year in 2009. Pace continues to be aggressive in winning partnerships with pay-TV operators around the globe.

Kurlak states, “Pace's position as the 2009 market share leader can not only be attributed to the company's December 2007 acquisition of Philips' STB business, but also due to the company's continued organic growth. The Philips division, now Pace France, operates as a division that focuses on IP, DTT and linear TV services. This additional facility has allowed Pace's headquarters in England to remain focused on traditional TV platforms and NDS CAS clients.”

For 2010, IMS Research expects Pace to remain in the top ranking position in 2010 due to its recent partnership announcements of HD roll outs for Benelux satellite operator M7 Group and Malaysian satellite operator ASTRO, in addition to its large contract agreements with DirecTV, UPC and Viasat.

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