50% are deploying multiscreen TV software releases more frequently in 2015, than during the same period in 2014.

Of those deploying software more frequently, 46% are increasing their number of software releases by more than 20% compared to 2014, 39% are increasing output between 11-20%, and 15% are increasing output by 10% or less.

78% cited automated testing as having contributed to accelerating software development timelines, 63% cited the move to agile development practices, 35% cited automated deployment, 35% cited version control, and 21% cited configuration management. The two leading responses are likely interrelated, as test automation can contribute greatly to the success of agile, by reducing both integration and regression testing times, to improve software quality and speed of delivery.

Adoption of modern software practices is clearly present in the development teams of pay TV operators and their key suppliers. When asked to describe their current software development methodology, only 10% classified themselves as using the old waterfall methodology, while 38% identified their environments as agile, 48% as hybrid, and 4% as continuous development. However, the same respondents noted a disparity in methodology used for deployments into the field. Notably, the older waterfall methodology still represents 32% of the methodology, whereas agile represents 18%, hybrid 43%, and 7% is continuous development.

Historically, pay TV video service providers' software release cycles ranged from one to four releases annually. However, in 2014, 26% made more than one release per month on average – ranging from 13 to more than 50 releases annually. An additional 30% of operators made between five to 12 releases annually.

S3 Group