Digital TV will surpass the PC to become the most popular means of accessing the Internet in Europe by 2005, according to a new report from the Yankee Group.
The report predicts that 81.2 million European households will use interactive services via digital television by 2005, while 80.6 million households will access the net via a PC. This contrasts with forecasts for the end of 2001, by which time digital TV is forecast to reach 24.5 million households while 45.4 million homes have PC access.
The report claims the increase will be due to “third wave adopters” – those in lower income groups who may not have the money or interest to buy a PC but who will yake advantage of the interactive services offered alongside digital television.
Other findings from the report include revenue forecasts from “t-commerce” reaching $17 billion by 2006 comapared with the current predicted figure of $267.5 million for Europe and the rise of cable and satellite operators as key partners for advertisers wanting to reach the mainstream consumer through interactive strategies.
