Global set-top box (STB) shipments reached 253.1 million for 2015 according to market analyst SNL Kagan.
The research shows that worldwide STB shipments were marginally up from 248.6 million in 2014, buoyed by demand in emerging market such as China and India. In all, the global multichannel market swelled to an estimated 959 million subscribers last year.
But despite higher volumes, product revenues are forecast to continue decreasing. By 2019, STB product revenues are projected to be $14.55 billion, down from $17.50 billion at year-end 2015.
With many of the world's largest cable TV markets approaching saturation, or experiencing increasing competition from other pay-TV platforms, demand for cable STBs is expected to be flat in the near term.
Kagan forecasts worldwide cable STB unit shipments will reach almost 75 million units for 2015, roughly the same total that shipped in 2014. Satellite STB unit shipments continue to be the largest market segment, on track to account for 47% of all global STB unit shipments in 2015, the firm said. The market for IP STBs is also projected to remain relatively flat over the next few years, as growing demand for IP STBs in Europe and Asia is offset by declining demand in North America.
Shipments of DVR-enabled STB products trended lower in 2015. Select service providers are reducing their DVR product purchases due to cost concerns, and other are introducing cloud DVR services, which can obviate the need for an installed DVR-enabled STB.
HD-enabled STBs are forecast to account for 76% of all global STB unit shipments in 2015, which means there are still more than 60 million SD STBs shipped.
Source: http://www.rapidtvnews.com/2016011541366/global-stb-shipments-top-251mn-in-2015.html#axzz3xk32wJ9Q