SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- The number of homes with cable TV throughout the world increased last year, though the growth was the slowest in a decade, according to an industry study.
"Cable television growth in North America and Europe has dramatically flattened over the past two to three years ... an unwelcome trend for many cable TV Multiple Systems Operators who have been counting on new subscribers to increase their revenues," said Mike Paxton, senior analyst with In-Stat/MDR, a market research firm for the digital communications industry.
In-Stat/MDR released the findings of its study Wednesday in a report titled "Digital Cable TV Subscribers: North American Demand Amplifies Growth."
The North American market decreased minimally in 2003, as several hundred thousand former cable subscribers either switched to satellite services or cancelled cable. Digital cable TV subscribers in North America increased 20 percent, however.
During the past three years, the majority of the industry's growth has come from China and India, with a 60 percent increase in new subscribers.
The top four countries in terms of total cable TV subscribers remain China, the United States, India and Germany.
