Satellite deployment offers an eco-friendly alternative to IPTV broadcasting
Satellite television delivery in Europe is set to become slightly more energy-efficient by 2035, according to a recent study. The unit energy consumption is expected to rise slightly from 19.5 Wh to 20.4 Wh per viewed hour.
The study, however, does not attribute the research to any specific company or organisation.
In Germany, DTH satellite reception currently holds a market share of 45.5%, up from 45.0% in the previous year. The country has around 16.4 million households using DTH, accounting for 42% of TV households.
The efficiency improvements are largely due to reductions in grid emission factors, with emissions from satellite TV delivery expected to decrease significantly, from 4.7 g CO2e to 1.3 g CO2e per hour by 2035. Emissions from satellite launches, on the other hand, remain negligible, accounting for only 0.02 g CO2e per viewed hour.
Alberto Sigismondi, CEO at Tivu, commented on the study, stating that the results provide comfort in Tivu's choice of maximising usage of DTT and DTH, the two most energy-efficient TV delivery methods.
The study found that over 99% of electricity use in satellite delivery comes from in-home equipment such as LNBs, decoders, and amplifiers. Optimising these in-home reception models could reduce satellite's energy and GHG impacts by up to two- or three-fold.
In comparison, average energy consumption per device viewing hour via satellite was 19.5 Wh in 2020, significantly less than OTT (109 Wh) and IPTV (153 Wh). DTT was the most efficient at 14 Wh per viewed hour.
The study also found slightly higher efficiency for satellite TV delivery in North America (19.1 Wh/hour) and substantially higher efficiency in Latin America (10.5 Wh/hour) compared to Europe.
In other developments, the LoCaT Project has found satellite to be 6 to 8 times more efficient than IP-based methods for television distribution. Meanwhile, Space Norway and Telenor Nordics have agreed to provide IPTV and OTT streaming services in Norway, Sweden, and Finland.
This agreement aims to deliver reliable, advanced TV services and a wider range of digital entertainment to the Nordic pay-TV market. The partnership combines Space Norway's content processing capabilities with Telenor's end-user solutions.
Cable TV remains in second place in Germany for TV reception methods. However, the rise of satellite television and the increasing focus on efficiency and sustainability suggest a shift in the TV landscape in the coming years.
Read also:
- E-mobility continues its progress after a decade since the scandal, staying on course
- The Commission deems the assistance program to be in agreement with the domestic market regulations.
- Innovative Garments and Accessories Producing Energy: Exploring Unconventional Sources for Renewable Power
- Electric Trucks Top Total Cost of Ownership Efficiency, According to ICCT Study
