Tech
Seven out of every ten new digital TV homes are opting for Freeview, according to Ofcom.
Although Sky is currently the UK's biggest TV platform, the media regulator noted that takeup of DTT services has outstripped Sky's subscriber growth since 2003. By the end of 2005, 37% of homes with digital TV chose Freeview as their only platform, compared with digital satellite's 47%. Freeview's growth has come at the market share expense of both digital satellite and digital cable; Sky's market share has declined from 68% since Freeview's launch in October 2002, while cable's has gone down from 22% to 16%.
The number of homes taking Freeview as their only digital TV service stood at 6.3m as of the third quarter in 2005. Earlier this month, Freeview announced that sales of DTT set-top-boxes and integrated sets had passed the 10m mark, and Ofcom, citing GfK research, estimates that 30% of these are in homes already receiving digital services.
Ofcom also noted that Freeview viewers tend to be older than people who subscribe to cable or satellite services, and tend to include a higher proportion of AB social grade viewers.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, 1.5m Freeview boxes (excluding those with PVR capabilities) were sold - more than in any previous quarter. Additionally, PVR sales now outstrip sales of video cassette recorders.
Although Sky is currently the UK's biggest TV platform, the media regulator noted that takeup of DTT services has outstripped Sky's subscriber growth since 2003. By the end of 2005, 37% of homes with digital TV chose Freeview as their only platform, compared with digital satellite's 47%. Freeview's growth has come at the market share expense of both digital satellite and digital cable; Sky's market share has declined from 68% since Freeview's launch in October 2002, while cable's has gone down from 22% to 16%.
The number of homes taking Freeview as their only digital TV service stood at 6.3m as of the third quarter in 2005. Earlier this month, Freeview announced that sales of DTT set-top-boxes and integrated sets had passed the 10m mark, and Ofcom, citing GfK research, estimates that 30% of these are in homes already receiving digital services.
Ofcom also noted that Freeview viewers tend to be older than people who subscribe to cable or satellite services, and tend to include a higher proportion of AB social grade viewers.
In the fourth quarter of 2005, 1.5m Freeview boxes (excluding those with PVR capabilities) were sold - more than in any previous quarter. Additionally, PVR sales now outstrip sales of video cassette recorders.
More: Tech, Terrestrial TV
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