ABI Research says that after the digital conversion terrestrial viewers of free TV signals will be left. According to the survey, 70% of analog TV viewers will get a converter, 10% will move to cable or satellite and 20% will simply not watch TV.

The study also claims that while HD satellite programming choices are growing and more and more subscribers are signing up, the new subscribers aren’t coming from cable defectors. Rather according to the study, the new HD satellite subscribers are coming from terrestrial viewers and teleco subscribers.

According to principal analyst Steve Wilson, “Our survey data suggest that the net result of consumers’ choices after analog switch-off will be a drop in overall terrestrial viewing.. Terrestrial viewers tend to be more likely to use alternative video entertainment forms such as DVD rentals and broadband video and the transition may push them further in that direction.”

Via ABI Research