By 2005, 625 million people will subscribe to interactive television services, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics. These services will include online shopping, banking, and interactive entertainment services.

There are currently 20 million households around the world with digital TV services, and this is set to increase to 38 million by the end of 2001.

Three-quarters of current subscribers use a satellite-based service, 21 percent use cable, and 5 percent subscribe to terrestrial services.

Of those who already have digital TV, 62 percent are in Western Europe, while 18 percent are in North America, 10 percent in the Asia-Pacific region, and 1 percent in Latin America.

The most advanced market for interactive TV is the UK, where 40 percent of households will have access by the end of 2001. Denmark, Spain, and Sweden are also leading markets for digital TV.