Global STB market approaches $6bn

Despite unit shipments remaining relatively flat over the last year, worldwide set top box revenues were actually up in Q4 2010 over Q4 2009.  Total revenues for the quarter were $5.7 billion as compared to $5.3 billion in the same period the previous year, according to In-Stat.

“Even though overall growth in the market was not dramatic there were certainly regional nuances that are worth noting,” says Norm Bogen, VP Digital Entertainment.  “For instance, there was a significant migration from standard definition to high definition in the larger and more advanced markets like North America and Asia/Pacific. While in the developing regions like the Middle East/Africa and Latin America, there has been a surge in standard definition boxes with high definition just beginning to make an appearance.”

Research findings include:
– In North America, satellite STB unit shipments approached 18 million in 2010.
– European cable STB revenues are forecast to be $212 million in Q1 2011.
– Worldwide  IPTV set top box unit shipments increased by 3.7 million in 2010.
– During 2010, in Latin America, 8 million more SD set top box units were shipped than HD boxes.