TV in central and eastern Europe is making a major investment in digital upgrades, according to new research published today. The tenth edition of Informa Telecoms & Media's Eastern European TV report has found that 32 million of the region's homes will receive digital signals by end-2011 - more than five times the 2005 figure.

Adam Thomas, Informa's media research manager, and author of the report, said: "The region is on the cusp of a significant move into digital. UPC, for example, is looking to digitise its networks starting next year and this will encourage activity amongst its competitors."

Digital TV households (000)

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media

Russia looks set to become the region's digital leader over the next five years. At end-2005 it lagged behind Poland in terms of digital TV subscriber numbers, but is expected to claim first place during this year and build a comfortable lead by end-2011. According to Thomas: "An increasing segment of the Russian population can afford premium TV services, meaning it is well placed to establish itself as the region's digital powerhouse. While many Russians remain happy to receive free-to-air broadcasts, the increasing number of platforms offering programming choice is starting to stimulate the market".

Digital penetration will exceed 23% of the region's TV households by 2011. Satellite is actively upgrading to digital while, with several launches in the pipeline, IPTV is also looking to emerge as a credible alternative platform.

Digital penetration of TV households (%)

Source: Informa Telecoms & Media

The 250-page report Eastern European Television (10th edition) is published by Informa Telecoms & Media in July 2006. Informa Telecoms & Media produces a wide range of media business publications, including TV International, New Media Markets, Cable & Satellite Europe and Television Business International. It produces a market-leading portfolio of regional TV reports - including Asia Pacific TV, Americas TV, Middle East & North Africa TV and Western European TV.

About Eastern European TV (10th edition)

Eastern European TV (10th edition) looks at present market trends, and evaluates the future direction the market is taking. It includes important illustrative statistics and reliable forecasts to 2011.

It contains detailed information on TV developments across 18 countries including Poland, Russia, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, Romania, Croatia and Hungary. It also allows you to pinpoint new opportunities and highlight territories ripe for investment. With three IPTV launches at an advanced stage in Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, and other launches pending, across all TV platforms, the report provides a valuable insight into their chances of success.

For more information or to order your copy please visit www.informatm.com/easteuropeantv?src=itmpr

About Informa Telecoms & Media

Informa Telecoms & Media is the leading provider of business intelligence and strategic marketing solutions to global telecoms and media markets.

Driven by constant first-hand contact with the industry our 90 analysts and researchers produce a range of intelligence services including news and analytical products, in-depth market reports and Datasets focused on technology, strategy and content.

Informa Telecoms & Media also organises more than 125 annual events, attended by more than 70,000 executives. In addition to the GSM>3G World Series, our events cover subjects as diverse as fixed and mobile operator strategy, technology, TV, mobile music and games.

Informa Telecoms & Media is always willing to work with journalists to provide stats, data or comment for articles.

For more information please contact:

Adam Thomas

Informa Telecoms & Media,

Media Research Manager

adam.thomas@informa.com

+44 (0) 207 017 4274

www.informamedia.com

or

Kathryn Bushnell

Informa Telecoms & Media,

Media Relations

Marketing & Communications Director

kathryn.bushnell@informa.com

+44 (0) 20 7017 4852

www.informamedia.com

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