IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) has experienced strong growth in recent years, driven by the widespread availability of high-speed internet, smart devices, and the rising demand for on-demand content. An increasing number of IPTV providers have entered the market, expanding the industry and creating a diverse ecosystem of content, devices, and business models. However, this rapid expansion also brings challenges in technology, security, and payment processing. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the IPTV landscape, helping businesses better understand and prepare for the digital future of the entertainment industry.
Overview of the IPTV market
IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) delivers TV content via internet connections, allowing users to watch live shows, replay past broadcasts, or stream video-on-demand. Compared to traditional TV, IPTV offers greater flexibility, personalized content, high-definition (4K/8K) streaming, and multi-device compatibility.
As long as there's a stable internet connection, users can watch anytime, anywhere. According to Mordor Intelligence, the global IPTV market reached USD 49.6 billion in 2023 and is projected to hit USD 115 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 14.8%. Key growth drivers include FTTH infrastructure, the rollout of 5G, demand for high-resolution content, and the rise of smart devices.
From 2024 to 2025, Asia-Pacific leads the global IPTV market with a 35.8% share, driven by mobile-first consumption habits and rapid user growth. North America follows with approximately 24%, benefiting from high average revenue per user (ARPU) and mature digital infrastructure. Western Europe, holding around 18%, shows strong demand for 4K content and well-established subscription models. In Eastern Europe, accounting for about 8%, growth is fueled by ISP bundling and increased smart TV adoption. Latin America holds roughly 6%, supported by broadband expansion and rising interest in OTT/IPTV services. Meanwhile, the Middle East & Africa show the fastest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) thanks to strong mobile penetration and a young, tech-savvy population.
Asia-Pacific leads the market, followed by North America and Western Europe. Emerging regions show strong potential as connectivity improves. Modern IPTV platforms now integrate AI, flexible billing, HD streaming, and payment gateways, transforming IPTV into a key pillar of the global digital content ecosystem.
IPTV is revolutionising how users consume content by delivering personalised, on-demand, high-quality television over the internet across smart devices
IPTV technology and market trends
According to Mordor Intelligence, the global IPTV market is projected to grow rapidly through 2025 - 2030. FTTH rollout and growing 4K/8K demand are key drivers boosting user experience and market reach. Additionally, networking architectures like multicast help reduce transmission costs and improve content delivery efficiency.
Diversified business models
As technology and user behavior evolve, IPTV monetisation models have also diversified significantly. Subscription-based services still dominate, accounting for the majority of market revenue due to their ability to generate stable income and foster user loyalty. However, the rise of Ad-supported Video on Demand (AVoD) is creating new opportunities, especially for price-sensitive audiences. This model allows platforms to grow their user base without raising subscription fees, while also tapping into advertising revenue more effectively.
In terms of content delivery, Live/Linear TV continues to hold the majority market share, while Video-on-Demand maintains solid growth. A notable trend is the emergence of super-aggregation platforms, which consolidate IPTV, OTT, and VOD services into a single interface. These platforms elevate user experience and enhance customer retention and advertising effectiveness for service providers.
IPTV is embracing diverse revenue models while super-aggregation platforms are redefining user experience and boosting retention
Device and content format trends
Devices play a crucial role in shaping IPTV user experiences. Viewing content is no longer confined to the living room and a traditional television. Instead, IPTV has expanded to multiple smart devices. Among them, Smart TVs remain dominant due to their stability and user-friendly interfaces, especially for families or users who prefer large-screen content.
Simultaneously, the shift toward cloud-based IPTV solutions is gaining momentum. Cloud infrastructure enables providers to scale more flexibly, accelerate deployment, and integrate seamlessly with technologies like AI, user behavior analytics, and remote content management. Cloud IPTV also supports a broader range of content formats, from live TV and on-demand videos to interactive and personalised experiences.
Opportunities for payment gateways in the IPTV industry
As IPTV platforms expand globally and adopt diverse business models, the need for smart, scalable payment solutions is skyrocketing. This creates key opportunities for modern payment gateways:
Recurring billing support: Ideal for subscription-based services, automating renewals, improving cash flow, and reducing churn.
Global reach: Multi-currency and multi-method support enables IPTV providers to serve international users more easily.
Flexible monetization: Helps platforms implement pay-per-view, hybrid, or AVoD models to maximize revenue.
Enhanced user experience: Fast, secure, and localized checkout flows improve conversion and satisfaction.
Business intelligence: Transaction data helps personalize offers, optimize pricing, and increase engagement.
High-risk sector readiness: Gateways that accept IPTV without strict licensing or volume thresholds enable faster market entry, especially for startups and niche platforms.
Modern payment gateways unlock global growth for IPTV platforms by enabling recurring billing, flexible monetization, multi-currency support, and fast onboarding
Challenges & risks for payment gateways in the IPTV sector
Supporting IPTV platforms comes with a unique set of challenges, including:
Legal ambiguity: IPTV is often classified as a high-risk industry due to unclear regulations surrounding content rights. This leads to higher chargeback and refund rates, along with increasing incidents of payment fraud.
Cross-border compliance complexity: Content licensing and broadcasting laws vary significantly between regions. As a result, many traditional payment gateways restrict access or impose stricter approval processes and higher fees, especially for newer or unlicensed platforms.
High refund and cancellation rates: User dissatisfaction, account sharing, abuse of free trials, and sudden cancellations often weaken the recurring billing model, reducing revenue predictability and cash flow stability.
Content verification risks: Platforms hosting third-party or user-generated content face added pressure to verify legality and avoid copyright infringements or takedown requests.
Stringent security demands: With piracy and data breaches on the rise, payment gateways must ensure robust fraud detection, PCI-DSS compliance, and secure infrastructure to build and maintain trust.
Supporting IPTV payments is complex due to high refund rates, legal uncertainties, fraud risks, and compliance challenges across global markets
The critical role of payment gateways in IPTV
In today’s fast-moving IPTV industry, payment gateways are no longer just back-end tools, they’re strategic enablers of growth, monetisation, and user satisfaction. As the shift from traditional TV to digital accelerates, having a smart, secure, and flexible payment infrastructure becomes essential. Here are the top reasons why payment gateways are critical to IPTV success:
Seamless user experience: A well-integrated payment gateway allows users to subscribe, renew, or upgrade their IPTV services in just a few steps, without interrupting their viewing. This frictionless process enhances customer satisfaction and reduces churn.
Multi-method payment support: By supporting a wide range of payment options, credit/debit cards, e-wallets, QR codes, and carrier billing, IPTV platforms can cater to diverse user preferences across different regions and demographics.
Monetisation and flexibility: Payment gateways enable various billing models such as recurring subscriptions, pay-per-use, or hybrid plans. This flexibility allows platforms to optimize revenue streams and respond quickly to market changes or consumer behavior.
Data-driven optimisation: Access to real-time transaction data and user analytics helps IPTV providers better understand spending habits. They can leverage this insight to run promotions, personalize payment journeys, and recommend content that matches user preferences.
Enterprise-grade security and compliance: Top-tier IPTV platforms must meet high security standards, including encryption, fraud prevention, and regulatory compliance (e.g., PCI DSS, GDPR). Reliable gateways build trust and protect both user data and business operations.
Strategic growth enabler: Far from being just a backend tool, a payment gateway is a growth engine, enabling global scalability, expanding market reach, and ensuring smooth service delivery across borders.
In IPTV, payment gateways are crucial for seamless subscriptions, secure transactions, and flexible monetization driving growth and user retention
Using GLODIPAY - A payment gateway for IPTV providers
As the IPTV industry evolves, payment processing is no longer just a backend function. Traditional gateways often fall short in supporting high-risk, leaving IPTV providers struggling with compliance issues, high fees, and limited coverage. This is where GLODIPAY steps in, offering a purpose-built payment solution tailored to the complex demands of IPTV platforms.
GLODIPAY: The payment gateway built to power IPTV expansion
GLODIPAY is a future-ready solution designed specifically for the needs of IPTV providers aiming to scale globally. With support for over 173 countries and multiple payment methods, including cards, e-wallets, and crypto like USDT, it enables seamless cross-border transactions. Its support for high-risk industries makes it ideal for emerging IPTV businesses, while recurring billing ensures steady cash flow and reduced churn.
Fast, secure, global: Why IPTV platforms trust GLODIPAY
GLODIPAY offers the robust infrastructure IPTV platforms need to grow with confidence. PCI-DSS compliance, 3D Secure protection, transparent fees, and rapid onboarding make it a trusted partner for secure, scalable operations. Whether launching in one region or expanding worldwide, GLODIPAY eliminates the typical legal and technical barriers to payment success.
GLODIPAY is a secure, flexible global payment gateway built for IPTV, supporting 173+ countries, high-risk sectors, and recurring billing with fast, compliant onboarding
In today’s digital era, IPTV has firmly positioned itself as a core component of modern entertainment ecosystems. IPTV is reshaping TV consumption with personalized content, flexible tech, and multi-device access, unlocking major growth for providers. Contact GLODIPAY today to provide IPTV businesses with a strong competitive edge, offering global reach, diverse payment options, high security, and industry-specific flexibility.