09.27 Europe/London, August 29, 2011 By Robert Briel
The number of digital TV connections in the Netherlands grew by 2.9% during the second quarter of this year to 5.73 million, according to Telecompapers quarterly update on the Dutch TV market.
The total digital TV users include 3.25 million cable TV homes that have an analogue TV connection as well. Digital TV increased its share of the entire TV market to 72%.
Ziggo is the largest digital TV provider, slightly losing market share, followed by KPN (DTT and IPTV), UPC and Canal Digitaal (Stallite DTH).
Most consumers receive digital TV via cable networks with almost 57% of digital TV connections, slightly losing market share during the quarter.
Terrestrial and satellite are second and third, both losing market share.
IPTV and FTTH were able to increase their share of the digital TV market, ending the quarter as fourth and fifth largest technologies.
Telecompaper expects an annual growth of 13% for this year, slightly lower than 15% in 2010. The growth is driven by an increasing number of operators offering triple play services, recently joined by Vodafone who will offer these services via the FTTH network.
Another driver is so-called second screen TV services enabling consumers to watch TV via their tablet, PCs or laptop as well.
KPN will introduce such service in the middle of September and both Ziggo and UPC are expected to enhance their current iPhone or iPad apps with such services as well.
