IMS forecasts strong worldwide growth for HDTV

In its report, “The Future of High-Definition TV – 2007 Edition,” IMS Research forecasts strong worldwide growth for HDTV over the next four years, with satellite keeping its lead as the most popular method of reception.

The market is expected to grow to nearly 148 million HDTV households by 2011 - with 41% of these choosing to receive HDTV programming via satellite.

The company expects growth in satellite HDTV households to be largely driven by the US and Western Europe.

Satellite is the most common method of receiving pay-HDTV in Western Europe, where digital cable has made relatively slow progress.

However, cable is expected to remain dominant in the US market, helped by the advancement of digital cable and promotion of triple-play and advanced services.

Europe is expected to pass the Asia Pacific region by the end of 2011 to become the second-largest HDTV market in the world, behind the Americas.