Latest Press and PR

Digital distribution of content is growing rapidly across the globe, driven by continued technological enhancements and content industry support. However, key to its long term success will be the development of strong consumer propositions and business models that secure sustainable revenue streams, and this will be the theme of the Understanding & Solutions 'Driving Digital Content' conference taking place in June.

Heavy bandwidth constraints are crippling digital terrestrial broadcasters and imposing barriers to their future HDTV offering. This could result in just 7% penetration of high definition digital terrestrial television (HD-DTT) in the UK by 2012, with a similar scenario playing out across Europe, according to a new broadcast tracking and analysis service from Understanding & Solutions.

Last year, global TV shipments rose 4% to almost 200 million units, worth over $100bn, and growth will accelerate to reach 280 million units, worth $160bn, by 2012, according to a new consumer electronics industry report from Understanding & Solutions.

By 2010, annual mobile handset shipments will have increased by almost 25%, reaching a figure in excess of 1.4bn units worldwide according to a recent industry report by Understanding & Solutions. “Despite a saturated subscriber base in Western Europe, the USA and Japan, we are still seeing growth in these regions,” says David Sidebottom, a consultant with Understanding & Solutions.

In anticipation of leading annual photo industry event, PMA08, taking place at the end of January, Understanding & Solutions' market analyst James Wells provides a roundup of key photo market trends.

U&S consultant discusses HD format war on Reuters’ global TV network Watch Video Here

With Warner Bros.’ announcement that its high-definition DVD titles will be released exclusively on Blu-ray, the industry moves even closer to resolution in the hi def disc format war. “Though player prices have started to fall across the board, there’s been growing concern that the consumer does not fully understand the high definition concept,” says Jim Bottoms, Co-Managing Director at Understanding & Solutions.

The fast-approaching holiday season is a key milestone in the success of High Definition disc formats in the USA, according to a timely market report by Understanding & Solutions. Performance of both Blu-ray and HD DVD during this time is crucial in establishing the new generation of optical discs, and may bring the market a step closer to resolving the war between the competing formats.

As DVD revenues begin to slow, Hollywood studios are looking to online video as a platform for incremental growth. Though currently in its infancy, by 2011 the online video market will have a retail value in excess of $3.8Bn worldwide, as revealed in a new industry report from entertainment analyst firm Understanding & Solutions.

New research from entertainment analyst firm Understanding & Solutions reveals a stronger growth rate in mobile gaming than in console and handheld markets, placing mobile in second position behind the online games market.

Mobile music is on the rise, currently representing around 13% of global recorded music retail value. A new industry report from Understanding & Solutions forecasts an increase to almost 30% by 2011, amounting to $11Bn and helping to offset some of the decline in packaged music revenues.

Last year across the USA, Japan and Europe, the annual demand for TV displays grew by 5% in volume terms, resulting in shipments of close to 79m units. According to projections from Understanding & Solutions, this rate of growth will continue, averaging 4% per annum between 2007 and 2011, with annual shipments exceeding 90m units by the end of the period.

Understanding & Solutions brought together key industry figures for this two-day conference in Barcelona, focusing on the business opportunities presented by High Definition entertainment in Europe. This roundup covers the key points and analysis stemming from the event.

2007 has seen a flurry of activity within the consumer High Definition (HD) camcorder market, with products now available from all the leading brands.  However, the market is still in its infancy and shipments are expected to represent just 5% of total camcorder unit demand across Western Europe this year, yet this does translate to more than 10% in value.

Q4 2007 is seen by many as a crucial time in the life of both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc (BD).  It is the second (year end) holiday season for both formats in the USA - long highlighted by Understanding & Solutions as the point at which the format battle could potentially be won or lost - and, more importantly, where the long term success of high definition discs will be decided.

A new industry report from Understanding & Solutions reveals explosive growth for the Photobook market, with demand last year at 2.5m units across Western Europe, up from less than 250,000 units in 2005. Going forward, this market will emerge as a key revenue driver within the photo industry. 

Internet TV Advertising could achieve revenues of up to $10bn worldwide by 2011, according to a new industry report from Understanding & Solutions.  This equates to 18% of the Internet advertising market for that year, forecast at $57bn.

By 2011, consumers will be spending in excess of 50% more on entertainment content than they did last year, according to a new industry report by Understanding & Solutions

The demand for set top boxes continues to rise, with more than 65m cable, satellite and IPTV digital STBs shipped globally last year, and the market on track to grow at 13% CAAGR to 120m annual shipments by 2011.

In consumer and professional fields the demand for storage continues to skyrocket, and new research carried out by Understanding & Solutions looks at the removable storage market, the future opportunities and the challenge ahead for the competing formats.