January 26, 2008 – MOBILE TV, music and games will be the major contributors to a global mobile entertainment market that is expected to triple in value from just over $20 billion last year to more than $64 billion in 2012, according to a new report by the UK’s Juniper Research.

Music is expected to be the largest single sector over the next five years, with revenues rising from nearly $9 billion in 2007 to $17.5 billion in 2012 on the back of the increasing availability of full-track download and streamed services. Boosted by rapid growth in “casual” gaming, games will retain second place, with revenues expected to grow from just under $5 billion last year to nearly $16 billion in 2012.

Mobile TV is expected to grow fast as a result of the launch of dedicated mobile broadcast networks in many developed and some emerging economies. This market is seen rising from $1.4 billion in 2007 to $11.9 billion in 2012.

China and the Far East will remain the largest regional market for mobile entertainment throughout the period, with revenues rising from $8.5 billion in 2007 to nearly $21.3 billion by 2012.

“With revenues from mobile voice services declining and messaging revenues flatlining, last year finally saw a number of more sophisticated entertainment services begin to fulfil their potential and redress the balance,” says report author Dr Windsor Holden. “More widespread penetration of 3G cellular handsets – or entertainment-focused 2.5G handsets like the iPhone – is likely to lead to a surge in both adoption and overall usage in rich media services.”