Global Broadcasting Industry
The global broadcasting and cable TV industry is expected to reach almost $475 billion in 2015, reports MarketLine, representing 27% market growth in five years. TV advertising represents the leading market segment, accounting for almost 48% of the overall market. The Americas hold a market share of more than 44%.
The broadcasting and cable TV market encompasses radio and television stations and networks that produce and/or broadcast programs. Networks broadcast to cable distributors or local radio and television stations through satellite signals.
Key Market Segments
- The shift towards high-definition TV broadcasting is inscribed in a worldwide transition from analog to digital television. TV stations are switching from dedicated hardware to computer software. Stations are increasingly replacing tapes with digital recordings, facilitating storage, editing and transfer of footage.
- The world internet TV market is expected to exceed $81 billion by 2017, according to Global Industry Analysts. The market is being fuelled by demand for higher resolution, clearer images and a wider array of channels and viewing options. Consumers are more familiar and at ease with new technologies, and demand additional features such as PVR functionality and surround sound. The market is driven by technological developments that marry networks, technology platforms and devices. The US and the EU are two of the largest regional markets in the global internet TV industry.
- Internet TV demand is pushing networks to widen bandwidth capacity. Other factors fuelling internet TV expansion include market penetration of mobile consumer electronic devices such as iPods, game consoles and DVD players.
- The global radio broadcasting industry is following a similar shift as television towards digital broadcasting. The majority of radio stations store, edit and broadcast content using digital equipment. Satellite radio stations make digital sound channels available to subscribers who pay for the service. Many radio stations follow suit to equip analog signals with digital signals. Digital radio listeners benefit from superior sound quality and a text display option that shows information such as the artist’s name and the song title.
- TechNavio estimates the world RNCi-next generation radio network controller industry will reach almost $97 billion in 2014. The market will be fuelled by 3G wireless network demand.
- The global land mobile radio systems industry is expected to exceed $16 billion by 2017, according to Global Industry Analysts. Factors influencing market growth over the coming years include economic recovery and increasingly prevalent digital radio. Land mobile radio systems refer to a broad gamut from transmitters and base stations to network switches, and two-way and hand-held mobile radios. Their use is widespread and vital to important services such as emergency medical assistance, allowing medical professionals and rescue volunteers to communicate during recovery missions. In every day business, land mobile radio systems also facilitate the smooth running of affairs such as coordinating service calls and dispatching technicians and orders. TETRA is a leading digital technology standard operating in the land mobile radio market.
Market Outlook
Technology developments continue to prove a key factor in the global broadcasting industry, with companies investing in research and development to keep pace with rivals. According to research from Parks Associates, developed countries like Western Europe and North America are concentrating their broadcasting efforts on advanced TV services to attract new subscribers and encourage loyalty among existing subscribers. Pay-TV is an expanding market segment in developing markets such as Eastern Europe and Latin America.
Companies can boost their market scope through digital radio advanced data services and mobile digital TV. Broadcasters continue to concentrate on technological innovation to meet growing demand for services and content. Consumer demand continues to become more targeted as viewers and listeners seek to exercise greater control over how and when to access high-quality content. Internet-based TV is one such example, allowing viewers to decide what programs to watch at what time, and opting to view their entertainment on an array of devices from home computers, mobile devices and smartphones.
Leading Industry Associations
- Ofcom (Independent regulator and competition authority for the UK communications industries) www.ofcom.org.uk
- National Association of Broadcasters (US) www.nab.org
- Association for International Broadcasting www.aib.org.uk
- National Institute of Broadcasting (Canada) www.nibbroadcasttraining.com
- International Association of Broadcasting Manufacturers www.theiabm.org
- Advanced Television Systems Committee www.atsc.org
