London - The number of homes worldwide with HDTV sets is expected to triple over the next five years, to 151 million, according to a report from market research firm Informa Telecoms & Media.

At the end of 2006, the U.S. accounted for 58% of HDTV homes worldwide (27.7 million), compared with 20% in Japan -- the country with the second-highest HDTV penetration.

"The public has really taken to high-definition, attracted by falling prices for impressive looking sets," said Informa's Adam Thomas.

However, only one-third of homes with HDTV sets (16.4 million) have the necessary set-top boxes required to view HD content.

"The problem remains that once people get these sets home from the showroom, they can be disappointed with the results. First they have to subscribe to a content service and even then there can be relatively little to watch," added Thomas.

Informa predicts that 70% of HDTV homes (105 million) will be receiving HD content by 2011.

"There is some evidence that in the US, Japan and Australia the case for HDTV has been strengthened by regulation," noted Informa senior media analyst Simon Dyson.

"If the scarcity of content in other markets continues for much longer, that option must be seriously considered elsewhere."

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