About 49 million U.S. Internet homes now own some type of connected-TV or connected-TV streaming device, an increase of about 6 million homes, or 14%, over the past year, according to a new report from NPD Group.
The study, based on a survey of more than 5,000 U.S. consumers conducted in Q4 2015, found that the latest numbers mean more than half (52%) of all U.S. Internet homes have at least one device in the growing category.
Broadband-fueled gaming consoles still represent the highest penetration from a device-type standpoint (see chart), followed by the surging market for streaming media players, as well as connected TVs and Blu-ray players, per NPD’s study, Connected Intelligence Connected Home Entertainment Report
The research firm estimates that the average connected TV home had nearly three (2.9) devices installed that could stream video/programming from apps directly to the television screen.
“Ownership of connected televisions and streaming media players is accelerating while the availability of streaming content is simultaneously expanding,” John Buffone, executive director, Connected Intelligence at NPD Group, said in a statement. “These combined forces will continue to drive increased adoption of connected devices within U.S. households. At the same time, as the number of households that have access to apps on TVs rises, so too do the business opportunities for content owners and distributors.”
