YNOT EUROPE – A new report from UK-based Juniper Research predicts astronomical growth in the tablet-computing user base will triple the number of people connecting to mobile adult video content by 2015. The research consultancy also expects the number of subscribers to mobile adult websites and mobile adult video-chat to triple during the same period.

Even though an increase of 300 percent sounds impressive, Juniper analysts indicated the prediction might have been even larger if tablet devices weren’t so often shared by family members or business associates. Sharing will restrict growth somewhat, the analysts said. In addition, an expected move toward multi-screen experiences also may mean consumers will be reluctant to purchase content available solely on tablets.

In some regions, legislation and social attitudes surrounding adult content also will constrain growth potential.

Despite the restrictions, though, Juniper forecasts the adult entertainment industry will generate significant revenues from tablet devices. Even in emerging markets, tablet owners tend to be more affluent than the average user and are more likely than smartphone users to own a credit card. This means tablet users likely will spend more and more often on mobile adult content than the average smartphone user, the analysts wrote in the report.

With that in mind, Juniper also predicts adult revenues generated by tablet devices will increase by a factor of five by 2017. The average annual spend on mobile adult subscriptions for handsets is predicted to increase by 11 percent by 2015.

“Tablets combine the privacy of a smartphone with a large screen, particularly suited for content consumption,” said Charlotte Miller, author of the report “Mobilising Adult Revenues.” “It is clear that, as with many other types of content, users of mobile adult content will want to access content on their tablets as well as on smartphones and PCs.”

A larger overview of the market, “Mobile Adult Content: Trends, Drivers and Business Models 2012 – 2017,” also is available from Juniper. The larger report incorporates hurdles, in-depth forecasts, strategic recommendations and interviews with key players in the space.