Report: Set-top Box Sales to Jump 39% to 50.3 Million Units in 2004

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 17, 2003 - 4:49am.

London -- Sales of digital TV set-top boxes are projected to jump 39% to a record 50.3 million units in 2004, according to research from Massachusetts-based analyst firm Strategy Analytics. This follows a strong year in 2003, with sales rising 28% over 2002's figures and a total of 36 million set-tops will be sold. Currently, set-tops for satellite TV account for 61% of total sales -- a figure that is expected to flop by 2008 when cable TV set-tops will have a 47% market share, and satellite share will fall to 37%. Prices continue to fall at around 12% each year, with the average set-top box now costing just over $200 at retail level. While strong demand for satellite set-tops in the U.S. and Europe were credited with the market's rebound in 2003, to achieve success in 2004 Strategy Analytics says manufacturers must target key growth areas such as satellite in Europe and cable in Asia-Pacific.
http://www.strategyanalytics.com/press/PR00094.htm