89 mln European households to use digital TV in 2007

Datamonitor forecasts that the European digital TV market will grow from 31 million households at the end of 2003 to 89 million households at the end of 2007, with most growth coming from digital cable and terrestrial services. The European market will exhibit strong growth over the next few years, growing over three-fold over by the end of 2008. With the US market growing by only 36% during this period, Datamonitor expects Europe to take leadership in the digital TV sector. The UK will retain its position as the most developed digital TV market in Europe, with continuing growth of Sky's satellite platform and the success of Freeview combining to boost digital penetration to 82% by the end of 2008