DURHAM, NH—The internet’s takeover of the American TV set is nearly complete as research shows that almost nine out of ten U.S. households now own at least one connected TV set. and nearly half of adults watch video via a connected device daily. 

New consumer research from Leichtman Research Group, Inc. (LRG) finds that 88% of U.S. TV households have at least one Internet-connected TV device, including connected Smart TVs, stand-alone streaming devices (like Roku, Amazon Fire TV sticks or boxes, Chromecast, or Apple TV), connected video game systems, and/or connected Blu-ray players. This compares to 82% with at least one connected TV device in 2021, 74% in 2018, and 44% in 2013. 

Overall, 49% of adults in U.S. TV households watch video on a TV via a connected device daily—compared to 39% in 2021, 29% in 2018, and 6% in 2013.  Younger individuals are most likely to use connected TV devices.  Among all ages 18-34, 63% watch video on a TV via a connected device daily—compared to 58% of ages 35-54, and 27% of ages 55+.

These findings are based on a survey of 1,770 TV households in the U.S., and are part of a new LRG study, Connected TVs 2023.  This is LRG’s twentieth annual study on TVs in the U.S.

Other findings include:

• 74% of TV households have at least one connected Smart TV – up from 64% in 2021, 47% in 2018, and 13% in 2013
• 55% of all TV sets in U.S. households are connected Smart TVs – an increase from 43% in 2021, 29% in 2018, and 7% in 2014
• 44% of TV households only have Smart TVs for all their TV sets
• 62% of TV households have at least one stand-alone streaming device – up from 55% in 2021, 46% in 2018, and 6% in 2013
• 67% of TV households have multiple types of connected TV devices – compared to 62% in 2021, and 49% in 2018
• The mean age of those with multiple types of connected TV devices is 42.3, while the mean age of those with one type of device is 50.5, and the mean age of those with no connected TV devices is 55.5

“Nearly half of all adults now watch video via a connected TV device daily, a significant increase from 29% five years ago, and 6% a decade ago,” said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for Leichtman Research Group, Inc.  “While Smart TVs are a key component of the connected TV category, the vast majority of connected TV users stream via multiple types of devices."

NEW YORK—Seven years of growth in the global shipments of streaming media devices (SMD) has come to an end, with shipments declining 8% to about 28.6 million in Q4 2021, according to Kagan, the media research unit of S&P Global Market Intelligence.

Kagan attributed the drop to a lack of new hardware as well as heightened pandemic-fueled demand from a year earlier at the end of 2020. 

Even so, the overall global SMD installed base grew 7.6% in 2021 to 232.5 million, Kagan reported. 

U.S. shipments fell 10.2% year over year to 12.8 million. 

Kagan reported that the U.S. is the most mature streaming hardware market, and is more reliant than other regions on upgrades for older devices and home theater enthusiasts seeking the latest feature set. As a result, the lack of markedly improved hardware had a more pronounced impact in the U.S. than on the global stage, Kagan said. 

While Amazon.com Inc. remained the largest global vendor by shipments, with its wide geographic footprint and array of price points, it was not immune to the cooldown. Kagan estimates that fourth quarter Amazon SMD shipments fell 3% to 7.5 million units.

Roku Inc. overtook Alphabet Inc. to become the second-largest global vendor in the quarter even after falling an estimated 4.3% year over year to 6.6 million units. 

The quarterly decline in shipments across the major vendors contributed to an annual global decline of 2% in 2021, marking the first drop in Kagan’s annual SMD data set, which stretches back to 2013.

Amazon remained the global leader in terms of installed base. At the No. 2 spot, Roku outpaced Alphabet by a healthy margin. 

SAN JOSE, Calif.—Roku is ready to roll with the latest version of its operating system, the Roku OS 9.4, which will be available to all Roku customers in the next few weeks.

A key new feature to OS 9.4 will be the availability of Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit capabilities on select 4K Roku devices. With AirPlay 2, Roku users can stream, control and share content directly from their iPhone, iPad or Mac to the supported Roku device. HomeKit, meanwhile, allows users to control their Roku device using the Home app and Siri on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch or HomePod.

The new operating system also enables Roku users to access the Roku Channel’s Live TV Channel Guide directly from the home screen. By selecting “Live TV” on the Roku home screen, users can access free live streaming channels from The Roku Channel. There are two available program guide views, including recently watched channels. In addition, Roku users with an antenna have one-click access to a combined program guide that offers the free streaming channels and over-the-air broadcast channels.

As part of the OS update, The Roku Channel now has a free mobile app that offers free streaming content for iOS and Android smartphones. New channels are also being added to The Roku Channel’s lineup.

Roku’s new OS also features hints that appear on the TV screen to help users of available voice commands they can use for quick, simple control. Users of Roku audio products who have a multichannel speaker configuration will also be able to adjust their volume of their rear surround speaker relative to the volume of the soundbar to match their preference.

Also part of the OS 9.4 update is faster initial setup and launch times for top channels and videos. Updated theme packs are now available as well with the new feature of corresponding audio tones that match the theme when pressing various buttons on the Roku remote.

The Roku OS 9.4 is expected to be available to select Roku players this month (September), with all supported streaming players updated with it in the coming weeks. Roku TV models are expected to receive the update in phases over the coming months, per Roku.

In addition to its new operating system, Roku has also unveiled its new Roku Ultra streaming device and Roku Streambar. New to the Roku Ultra now supports Dolby Vision for HDR quality, as well as a faster quad-core processor, more RAM and 50% more Wi-Fi range. The Roku Streambar, meanwhile, provides Roku's advanced audio engineering as well as 4K HDR picture quality to TVs.

For more information, visit www.roku.com.  

BOSTON—There are more than 1.1 billion TV and video streaming devices in use across the globe, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics. 

Leading the way on the brand side for TV and video streaming devices is Samsung, with Strategy Analytics reporting they have a 14% share of the streaming devices in use. Sony (12%), LG (8%) Hisense (5%), TCL (5%) and Amazon (5%) follow.

The Tizen platform is the leader when it comes to the top player in TV streaming, with it accounting for 11% of deployed devices. It is followed by WebOS (7%), PlayStation (7%), RokuOS (5%), Fire OS (5%), Android TV (4%) and Xbox (4%). Strategy Analytics says the platform environment is still fragmented because many older, proprietary systems are still in use.

As internet video services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu have continued to grow, particularly during the pandemic, so has the importance of TV streaming platforms and devices, Strategy Analytics says. Streaming video is increasingly being viewed on TV screens over mobile devices, all while traditional pay-TV, broadcast and home video platforms decline.

“As traditional television and video platforms continue to decline, TV streaming represents the future of television and video,” said David Mercer, vice president, Media and Intelligent Home. “Over the next decade or so we expect internet streaming to dominate consumption of television and video content across much of the world. This research reflects the early stages in the evolution of the platforms, which will come to determine this ecosystem for many years to come.”

The Strategy Analytics “TV Streaming Platforms” service tracks quarterly developments on TV and video streaming devices across 27 countries. The full report can be viewed online. 

DUBLIN—The popularity of streaming services is well documented among TV viewers, but also growing in the market as a result is the use of smart TV sticks (FireTV, Roku, etc.). And according to a new report from Fact.MR, the use of smart TV sticks is expected to rise across the globe at a CAGR of 7.1% from 2018-2028.

The U.S. is the leading market for smart TV sticks and is expected to be so over the 10-year period of the report. Among the devices that are being used to access OTT services, smart TV sticks make up a 70% share of the market in the U.S., with 40% of the OTT audience enjoying cordless service from smart TV sticks.

With 4K content still not widely available in most cases, non 4K compatible smart TV sticks make up more than 60% of the market in North America, with an estimate of what will be more than $950 million in sales in 2019. However, consumers are deciding to go with 4K and above versions—that includes both new and current smart TV stick consumers who are replacing their non 4K devices.

Though the U.S.’s lead in the category is not expected to be challenged in the next decade, it is not estimated to be the fastest growing market for smart TV sticks. China projects the strongest growth in the time period, with a prediction that it will jump from third largest market in 2018 to the second by 2023 as sales cross 6 million units.

“Overall, the market for smart TV sticks has a positive outlook and is expected to grow at an optimistic speed in the coming years, offering new growth opportunities for players,” Fact.MR concluded.

The full report is available here.

LOS GATOS, Calif.—Streaming platform Roku has announced a brand new lineup of streaming players set to hit the U.S. and other markets, as well as the new Roku OS 9.2, which is expected to become available in the coming weeks.

Headlining the new streaming players are updated versions of the Roku Express and Roku Ultra devices. The new Roku Express is 10% smaller than its predecessor and can be fully powered by the TV if an outlet is not nearby. Other features include improved, easy HD streaming; a remote that provides channel shortcut buttons; a high-speed HDMI cable; and power adaptor. The Roku Express will be available for $29.99.

The Roku Ultra continues to offer HD, 4K and HDR picture quality with an enhanced quad-core processor and 802.11ac dual-band wireless. New features include a fast channel launch ability, programmable personal shortcut buttons on the Enhanced Roku Voice Remote, a USB port for local media playback and a MicroSD slot for channel caching, Dolby and DTS Digital Surround, a lost remote finder and JBL headphones for private listening. Roku is pricing the Ultra at $99.99.

Both models have spinoffs, Roku Express+ and Roku Ultra LT, that are exclusively available at Walmart. These models come in at $39.99 and $79.99, respectively.

Other new streaming players include the Roku Premiere ($39.99), the Roku Streaming Stick+ ($59.99) and Roku Streaming Stick+ HE ($59.99). For more information, visit www.roku.com.

All of these new units will soon feature the Roku’s new operating system, OS 9.2. The software update focuses heavily on accessing content more effectively. This includes new search and discovery features like Roku Zones with organized sections based on genre or topical subjects, and a 4K Spotlight Channel, which offers hand-curated 4K content from available Roku channels.

There are also a series of new voice features, including the ability to set sleeper timers, search by movie quotes or 4K content, support for the Roku Media Player and the ability to control multiple Roku devices through Alexa or Google Assistant-enabled devices.

Additional features with OS 9.2 range from support for the new Roku Wireless Subwoofer when Roku TV Wireless Speakers are paired with a Roku TV to new a shortcut sections on the home screen for popular actions, as well as other operational improvements.

Roku expects to rollout the software update to all devices in the coming months.

PHILADELPHIA—Comcast has announced a new promotion that will see any existing or new Xfinity internet-only subscribers receiving an Xfinity Flex 4K UHD streaming device as a free inclusion. With the Xfinity Flex platform, powered by Xfinity X1 technology, users have the Xfinity Voice Remote, a redesigned guide and access to popular streaming services and free movies and TV shows.

Xfinity Flex features include a personalized user guide with universal voice control, including a home page with live, immersive titles; a “Free to Me” destination with more than 10,000 titles; live streaming from networks like ESPN3, Pluto TV, Tubi TV, Xumo, Cheddar, YouTube and SkyNews; access to popular streaming services; an update grid guide that compiles available live programming from networks and apps, as well as what is new to the platform; the ability to rent and purchase titles from the digital store and pair Movie Anywhere accounts; browse and listen to music on Amazon Music, Pandora, iHeartRadio and XITE using the voice remote; and later this year, the ability to upgrade Xfinity TV on X1.

Beyond the TV, the Xfinity Flex system can help manage connected home devices, like see what devices are connected to the network, setting parental controls, pausing Wi-Fi access, accessing camera feeds, arming or disarming the home security system and finding an Xfinity mobile phone.

“Today’s internet customers need more than speed—they want wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage, simplified control of their connected home and the best streaming experience,” said Matt Strauss, executive vice president of Xfinity Service, Comcast Cable. “With Xfinity xFi and Xfinity Flex, we are including all of that and more with our internet service, all in one place, on the best screen in the home.”

The deal includes an Xfinity Flex box and Xfinity Voice Remote at no additional cost of the Xfinity internet service. Any additional boxes are available for lease for $5 per month, per box.

LOS GATOS, Calif.—Roku is reaping the benefits of the streaming revolution with major increases in its number of subscribers and total revenue, as made clear by the company’s earnings report for the second quarter of 2019. Among the milestones that Roku hit in this most recent quarter was surpassing 30 million active accounts and exceeding expectations for platform and player revenue, which totaled more than $250 million.

Overall, the total net revenue for the Roku hit $250.1 million in Q2, a 59% year-over-year increase, with platform revenue jumping from $90.3 million a year ago to $167.7 million (86% year-over-year). The gross profit for the most recent quarter came in at $114.2 million, a 47% year-over-year growth.

Roku says that the increase in revenue was primarily driven by its growth in advertising, specifically the company’s monetizing of video ad impressions. Increases in the estimated value of content distribution agreements also helped drive revenue growth.

As a result of the exceeded revenue marks, Roku has raised its entire 2019 outlook to a total net revenue between $1.075-$1.095 billion and a gross profit between $480-$490 million.

Beyond its boom in revenue, reports and also finding that Roku is continuing to grow as a leader of streaming devices. A recent report from Strategy Analytics found that the Roku operating system powers 41 million OTT devices and smart TVs in the U.S., 36% more than the next closest competitor (Sony PlayStation).

More information on Roku’s Q2 results are available here.

NEWTON, Mass.—In the race to be the dominant streaming TV platform in the United States, Roku is adding to its lead over its rivals and is positioning itself to widen the gap between it and its next closest competitor by 70% by year’s end, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics.

The report, “USA Connected TV Device Vendor Market Share Q1 2019,” reveals that Roku’s streaming platform accounted for 30% of U.S. sales of connected TV devices for the quarter. According to the report, 41 million Roku-based devices, including Roku media streamers and Roku-based smart TVs, are in use nationwide, accounting for 15.2% of all media streaming devices.

“Roku had another strong quarter in Q1 and continues to hold a commanding lead in streaming media platforms in spite of Amazon’s growing influence in the living room,” said David Watkins, director at Strategy Analytics and author of the report.

The company now leads Sony Playstation, its next closest major competitor, by 36% in terms of devices in use, the report says, attributing Roku’s predicted growth by year-end to its smart TV partnership strategy.

The report also finds:

• Amazon’s Fire TV OS was the second most sold streaming TV platform during the quarter with 12%, followed by Samsung’s Tizen at 11% and Google, including Android TV and Chromecast, at 9%.
• By the end of the year, Roku-powered devices will total 52 million, accounting for 18% of all connected media devices.

“Roku’s extensive content offering, comprehensive search function and simple and intuitive user interface have been key factors in its success, alongside affordable hardware and regularly updated software,” said Watkins. “Roku has managed to establish itself as a highly respected and trusted brand in the U.S. with no perceived hidden agenda when it comes to promoting content on its platform.”

However, outside the United States Roku is less well-known. To succeed abroad, Roku must build brand awareness and chip away at users of well-established players like Amazon, Apple and Google, he added.

To learn more about the report, visit the Strategy Analytics website.