IPTV will surpass cable television subscriptions in 2026

The latest study of Digital TV Research sets a date for when IPTV services surpass cable: 2026.

This change in the global television landscape will be driven by China, a region that will promote the important change from cable television to IPTV, as pointed out Simon Murray, principal analyst of Digital TV Research.

According to the study Pay TV Forecasts Update, China will have 226 million IPTV subscribers in 2026, while the rest of the world will only add 172 million. Between 2021 and 2026, although China will add 19 million IPTV subscribers, will lose 39 million cable television subscribers.

On the other hand, Digital TV Research predicts 13 million more pay television subscribers between 2021 and 2026, bringing the world total to 1,010 million. China will continue to provide almost a third of the world's pay TV subscribers with 315 million expected by the end of 2026, while India will contribute another 178 million.