Dolby CFO Looks to Reinvigorate Flat Broadcast Licensing Segment

Dolby is hoping pay-TV operators and consumers will create demand for set-top boxes with Dolby Vision, Chief Financial Officer Lewis Chew told an investor conference Wednesday. Growth in the segment has been relatively flat in recent quarters compared with three years ago, he said. The first Dolby Vision-enabled set-tops are expected to begin rolling out this year (see 1905020062). On why U.S. household penetration of Dolby Vision isn’t broader in TVs, Chew called it “still a relatively new technology,” comparing it to anti-lock braking systems that appeared first in luxury vehicles and are now standard. Availability of more content in Vision will drive more TV adoption, he suggested: “It’s very encouraging to see big players like iTunes, Amazon Prime and Netflix adopting Dolby Vision as a way of putting out their content.” The company sees “lots of opportunity ahead.” Samsung adopted Dolby Atmos in the latest Galaxy smartphones after some years ago taking Dolby out, Chew noted. Apple adopted Vision, though not Atmos, for iPhone 8 and later phones, and recent iPads.