(17 February 2007 6:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Western Europe and North America continue to lead the digital satellite pay-TV market in subscribers and revenue.

However the fastest growth over the next several years will come from other areas, especially Asia, reports market research firm In-Stat.

Key satellite market trends include consolidation in established markets, interactivity, HD, launches, and bundling, the high-tech market research firm says.

In-Stat analyst Michael Inouye says, "Most DTH platform launches in 2006 occurred in the less mature markets, including India and Eastern Europe. As DTH pay-TV platforms in many American and European countries have been in operation for a number of years, their subscriber growth has slowed. Total net new subscribers are growing each year, but only by single digit percentages.”

Rsearch by In-Stat found the following:

- Total DTH pay-TV subscribers are expected to reach over 117 million in 2010.

- Global DTH-TV revenues will exceed $88 billion by 2010.

- Consolidation occurred in 2006 with service providers like TPS and CanalSatellite and conditional access providers (Irdeto/ Cryptoworks).