SES today announced that the number of television households using direct or indirect satellite connections has increased by 12 million to 367 million in 2019. The results of the company's annual Satellite Monitor market research once again confirm SES's position as the world's leading distributor of video via satellite. The study shows the important role that satellite connectivity continues to play in reaching the widest possible audience worldwide.
Most of this growth, namely 12 million television households, is related to the leading platform for receiving television programs: satellite and cable. They grew by 9 million connections in 2019 to 153 million and 149 million households, respectively. Internet television (IPTV) and terrestrial television figures grew by 3 million subscribers: to 43 million and 21 million households.
The Satellite Monitor study also showed SES's expanded technical coverage across a number of continents, including Europe, Africa, the Asia-Pacific region, and Latin America. Europe remains the strongest market for SES, with 168 million households served by the SES fleet. The number of subscribers in Europe increased by 1 million from 2018, followed by North America with a market share of 69 million.
In Latin America, SES has reached an audience of 42 million households, a significant increase from 34 million households in 2018. This growth is linked to the launch of the new satellite - SES 14, which helped accelerate the growth of cable broadcasting and IPTV in the region. This year also saw the first results for SES in the Indonesian and Philippine markets. In total, SES serves 39 million households in the Asia-Pacific region that use direct connections (DTH). The study also showed that SES provides digital television to 13 million households in the Middle East and 35 million in Africa. Overall, the company has achieved an overall growth of almost 5 million households in the Asia-Pacific region and Africa.
SES's television market research sheds light on several key trends driving the relevance of satellite broadcasting, including the transition from analog to digital television and the growth of HD broadcasting. End users in Ghana and Nigeria choose satellite television because of its more advantageous benefits and free offers instead of purchasing new equipment to switch to digital terrestrial television. The Satellite Monitor study also showed that Europe is seeing growth in HD broadcasting with 167 million households, 5 million more than in 2018. Satellite remains the preferred platform for video delivery when it comes to broadcasting HD content, highlighting the key importance of satellite broadcasting as a reliable and cost-effective system for delivering video content to a wide audience.
“Broadcasters and television platform operators need reliable and up-to-date data before they make a decision to enter new markets. For over 25 years, SES has been the only satellite solutions provider in the world that regularly and comprehensively monitors the industry in specific countries and identifies key trends for our customers to help them succeed in their business and expand their operations,” said Ferdinand Kayser, CEO of SES Video. “The results of our annual Satellite Monitor market research show that satellite continues to be the most optimal infrastructure for ensuring high image quality, and that despite changes in consumer habits, people still rely on analog television and supplement it with OTT content.”
SES's annual Satellite Monitor study, first introduced in 1994, demonstrates SES's technical coverage and also provides valuable insights into the video content market and trends worldwide. The study is seen as an important tool for SES customers, leading broadcasters and content owners.