IMS Research has updated its Online Digital Set-top Box & iDTV Database with new information regarding TV households split by reception platform, STB and iDTV shipments and revenues, and profiles for operators in 68 countries. The update reveals that:

• On a global basis, digital TV households grew by 30% during 2009 with the IPTV and FTA DTT platforms experiencing the strongest growth, both near 60%. CAGR for all digital platforms between 2010 and 2014 is expected to be 8.2%.
• Despite the economic crisis, STB shipments increased by 18% over 2008, due in large part to analog switch-off in large terrestrial markets. A slight decline in total STB shipments is expected in 2010 and 2011. Lease-only equipment arrangements, pre-paid TV service cards, and government subsidies are being used to promote the digitization of various TV platforms both pay and FTA, hence increasing the adoption of digital TV in lower income households worldwide.
• World shipments for hybrid STBs increased 27% over 2008 with the majority of these going to pay-TV hybrid satellite deployments. Hybrid STB shipments are expected to grow steadily over the forecast period due to the increasing number of alliances between satellite and broadband operators, pay-TV operators expanding services and needing increased bandwidth for their delivery, and continued growth in the amount of compelling DTT content worldwide.
• Integrated DTV receiver shipments increased 33% due to high levels of penetration in the US, Western Europe, Taiwan, and Japan.

This online database service provides detailed and comprehensive analysis of the digital television and set-top box markets. It is updated quarterly throughout the year and more frequently if significant market changes occur. In addition to historical and current year statistics, forecasts are provided for the next 5 years. The TV households are sub-divided by reception method, and the set-top box statistics show both the type of set-top box (DTH satellite & SMATV, cable & MMDS, IPTV and DTT), and the level of box features.