Set-top Boxes (STBs) Market By Type (Cable TV STBs, Satellite TV STBs, IPTV STBs, Hybrid STBs), By Video Resolution (Standard Definition (SD), High Definition (HD)) - Growth, Share, Opportunities & Competitive Analysis, 2015 - 2022

Set-top boxes (STBs) receive devices used at the consumers’ (subscriber) end to receive the broadcasted content. The set-top box market is broadly segmented into type, video resolution, and geographical regions. The market for set-top boxes is majorly driven worldwide by the mandatory digital television transition. With nearing deadlines for switchover across various countries, the demand for set-top boxes is expected to remain strong in the coming years. Additionally, with advancements in the television industry along with video content, the market growth is expected to remain strong throughout the forecast period. The set-top boxes market worldwide stood at US$ 13.54 Bn in 2014. The market is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period 2015 to 2022.

Based on the types, the global set-top boxes market is segmented into the following categories

• Cable Television STBs
• Satellite Television STBs
• Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) STBs
• Hybrid STBs

As of 2014, the global set-top box market is dominated by the satellite television STBs segment. The segment contributed to more than 30% of the total revenue generated by the set-top boxes market in 2014. The satellite television segment comprises digital terrestrial television (DTT) and satellite-dish-based television STBs. Due to the high demand for these STBs, the segment is expected to retain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period. The demand is majorly backed by countries such as India and China, where the consumer base is huge.

The IPTV STBs segment is expected to register the highest growth in the coming years. The penetration of internet-based services has risen substantially in the past few years. This has led to various internet-based services such as video-on-demand, IPTV, and others. With the advancement in internet infrastructure, many people worldwide are now turning towards internet-based services. As a result, the IPTV STBs segment is expected to register the highest growth in the coming years. Further, the hybrid STBs segment too is expected to register strong growth in the market during the forecast period. The demand for hybrid STBs is expected to be mostly backed by North America and Western Europe.

Purpose of the Report

The purpose of this strategic research study titled “Global Set-top Boxes Market- Growth, Share, Opportunities and Competitive Analysis, 2015 – 2022” is to offer industry investors, company executives, and industry participants in-depth insights to enable them to make informed strategic decisions related to the opportunities in the global set-top boxes industry.

Target Audience

• Industry Investors
• Set-top Boxes Vendors
• Set-top Box Components Vendors
• Television Service Providers

Overall, the research study provides:

• A holistic view of the global set-top boxes market.
• Offering market size and estimates for the period from 2015 to 2022.
• Keeping in mind the factors mentioned above.

Set-top boxes (STB) are receiving devices installed at the consumers’ end for enabling television service reception. The basic function of STBs is to receive a digital signal, decode it and display it on the television set. The digital signal may be a television signal or internet streaming data. These signals are received using a cable connection (from STB) or an internet connection. The prime motive behind the evolution of STBs is the large number of channels delivered by these receivers. STBs can deliver more channels compared to the built-in channel numbering system of televisions. Therefore, STBs can receive signals covering data for numerous channels and filter out the channel per users’ subscriptions.

The set-top boxes can be broadly categorized as follows:

• Cable television set-top boxes: These STBs are capable of converting channels aired from cable television service providers into analog radio-frequency (RF) signals onto a single very high frequency (VHF) channel.
• Satellite television set-top boxes: These STBs are used for delivering satellite-based television service using a satellite dish and coaxial cable. The segment also comprises digital terrestrial television (DTT) STBs.
• Internet protocol television (IPTV) set-top boxes: These STBs can be referred to as small computers that enable two-way communication over an Internet Protocol (IP) network and decoding internet streaming data
• Hybrid set-top boxes: These STBs, developed in the 2000s, are designed to deliver television broadcast, IPTV, and broadband services.

The evolution of set-top boxes hails back to the early 1980s when a cable converter was needed to receive additional analog cable TV channels and alter them into compatible content on regular television screens. The cable converter had a remote control to switch to a low-VHF frequency channel. With the advancement in television broadcast services, digital set-top boxes were capable of decoding large numbers of digital signals. The digital set-top box was first commercially developed in the mid-1990s. The term set-top box technically has no resemblance with broadcast technology. The term has primarily evolved since these receivers were traditionally mounted on top of cathode ray tube (CRT) television sets.

Over the period, the set-top box market has evolved remarkably. Earlier, the set-top boxes were simply used for cable and pay televisions. Additionally, set-top boxes for the reception of standard definition (SD) television signals were the most prominent. Due to the rising acceptance of high definition (HD) and ultra-high definition (UHD) television services, advanced set-top boxes supporting these resolutions are now available. Moreover, set-top boxes with recording facility too are gaining traction in the global market. Advancement in the internet infrastructure has led to the adoption of various internet-based services such as video-on-demand and IPTV. As a result, set-top box manufacturing companies are now providing hybrid set-top boxes to revolutionize the entertainment industry. Hybrid STBs are capable of receiving television signals as well as internet streaming data. Geographically, these set-top boxes are popular majorly in Europe. Regions such as North America and the Asia Pacific are expected to register strong growth in the sector in the coming years.

The global set-top boxes market is segmented based on geographical regions, as per the following regions and countries.

• North America
• U.S.
• Rest of North America
• Europe
• EU7
• CIS
• Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Japan
• China
• India
• Australasia
• Rest of Asia Pacific
• Rest of the World
• The Middle East and Africa
• Latin America

In 2014, the Asia Pacific dominated the global set-top box market, with a market share of over one-third of the total market revenue. On the other hand, India and China largely govern the demand for set-top boxes due to a huge consumer base. Additionally, due to the mandatory switchover to digital television, these countries are expected to retain their dominant position in the region throughout the forecast period.

Another major factor fueling the demand for set-top boxes in the region is people's rising discretionary income and the availability of high-end television sets. As a result, Asia Pacific is expected to retain its dominant position in the market throughout the forecast period.North America and Europe are quite mature markets for set-top boxes. This is majorly due to the early accomplishment of digital television switchover in most of the countries in the regions. North America has more than 60% HD service penetration, making the market lucrative only for advanced set-top boxes such as UHD and 8K.

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