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Technology Stocks : IATV-ACTV Digital Convergence Software-HyperTV -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Raybert who wrote (3724)	5/17/1999 2:47:00 PM
From: Eqmx	Respond to of 13157

Digital update: <<<<<<<Monday May 17 1:54 PM ET Boom seen in worldwide digital TV this year LONDON (Reuters) - Nearly 20 million homes around the world had switched to digital television by the end of 1998, and a further 14 million are expected to join them this year, according to a new survey published Monday. Market researchers Strategy Analytics Research said the boom in digital TV use would offer a powerful new platform for interactive services such as near-video-on-demand, information services and home shopping. Its report, ''The Interactive Home,'' said satellite operators were leading the way, with a forecast 26 million subscribers by the end of this year, but cable companies were starting to catch up and will have switched on more than seven million homes by December 1999. Only 1 percent of digital homes will have chosen digital terrestrial TV, the report said. ''Consumers value the new dimension of choice, variety and convenience offered by digital TV,'' says David Mercer, senior analyst with Strategy Analytics. ''The evidence from these early success stories is clear: multichannel digital television lets operators offer enhanced services which drive revenue growth.'' Strategy Analytics forecast that digital TV revenues to service operators and manufacturers of set-top boxes will reach $16 billion in 1999, an increase of 60 percent, and hit $54 billion by 2005. It said North America accounted for 50 percent of digital television viewers now but will decline in relative importance as the European and Asian regions take off. By 2005, Europe will account for 32 percent and Asia-Pacific 28 percent, with North America's share declining to 31 percent. ''Digital is a vital element in television's defense strategy against the threat of the Internet,'' said Mercer. ''High-quality Internet video is likely to become a reality in the next few years, and the television industry must take action to ensure it continues to meet customer expectations.''>>>>>>>>>