Cable still Rules, but IPTV and Satellite Will Overtake it
In the context of total revenue, good old fashioned cable TV still rules. But recent research revealed by market research firm Infonetics suggests that IPTV and satellite services combined will soon overtake cable TV http://www.infonetics.com/pr/2012/2H11-Pay-TV-Services-and-Subscribers-Market-Highlights.asp as the market leaders(s) for subscription pay-TV services.
"Cable video still makes up over half of the global pay TV market but revenue growth is decelerating due to a slowdown in new subscribers, especially in the lucrative North American market as competition from satellite and IPTV operators intensifies …” reports directing analyst for broadband access and video at Infonetics.
Infonetics reports that the global pay-TV market (by subscription revenue), including cable, satellite, and telco IPTV video services, totaled $261 billion in 2011 and is forecast grow to $371 billion by 2016. Cable TV revenue is declining, while IPTV and DBS revenue is growing, and the two paths will soon cross.
IPTV is seeing the most momentum in North America and Asia. The two largest pay-TV providers in the world include Comcast and DirecTV. DirecTV is seeing sizeable growth in Latin America.