Growth in sales of set-top boxes in the UK
UK volume sales of set-top boxes (STBs) increased by 4.1 million to reach a total of 4.9 million in the year ending April 2008, according to statistics produced by Gfk Retail and Technology.
Value sales also grew significantly from £169.1 million to £172.9 million.
Digital STB's without a Hard Disc Drive are the largest product sector in the STB market say Gfk, witnessing a growth of 17.8% in the year ending in April 2008 compared to the previous year.
Over the same period, average prices of these devices have fallen from £31 to £24. Gfk report that this had a negative effect on value sales, which decreased from £155.7 million to £104.9 million.
The sub £20 category has seen increased growth with 58.8% of total sales volumes in April 2008, compared to just 26.4% during the same period last year.
DTRs experienced strong growth in the year ending April 2008. Volume sales grew to 473 thousand units while value sales grew to £50.5 million. When compared to the year ending April 2007, these figures represented increases of 90.7% and 44.2% respectively.
Gfk predict the run up to the digital switchover will speed up sales of set top boxes. The popularity of LCD TV's in the kitchen and bedroom could increase the demand for a secondary set top box in the home therefore strengthening sales.
Image: Vismedia/Digital UK
Links open in a new window. The DTG is not responsible for the content of other web sites.