Even though the 3D TV industry faces several challenges including lack of content, high production costs and many viewers' reluctance to wear 3D glasse, Informa Telecoms & Media analysts forecast the number of 3D TV homes to increase from 13.5 million at the end of last year to 112.7 million by 2017 - about 8% of all global TV households.

"The market will still be immature by 2017, so some growth opportunities exist beyond this date," the media intelligence company noted. "Informa believes that 3D TV set penetration will take off, as TV set manufacturers embed the technology into a high proportion of their sets. But take up of 3D content services will be limited, at least until the technology has progressed significantly so that a natural viewing experience, without glasses, is achieved."

Informa's confidence fir a strong growth in the sector is based on the backing of key industry players including set manufacturers, platform owners and the Hollywood studios.

By region, Western Europe will have 18.3 3D TV million, North America will have 33.2 million homes and Asia Pacific will have the most 3D TV homes by 2017 with 49.6 million. Latin America will have just 5.6 million 3D TV homes and Eastern Europe and the Middle East 5.8 million.

The US will continue to be the premiere territory in terms of active 3D technology, counting 31.9 million active 3D TV households by end-2017. China will be close behind with 30 million, followed by Japan with 7.6 million and Germany 4.4 million.

Story filed 25.04.13