Smart TVs to the fore as connected TV devices break billion barrier

Smart TVs to the fore as connected TV devices break billion barrier
Joseph O'Halloran
| 14 August 2018


According to research from Strategy Analytics, more than a billion connected TV devices are now in use worldwide with smart TVs consistently gaining share in the market and now standing at nearly 60% of the total installed base.
strategyanalytics 14Aug2018

In the Global Connected TV Device Vendor Share: Q2 2018 report, the analyst defines connected TV devices as those which allow users to stream over-the-top video content to the TV screen and as well as the aforementione smart TVs, it includes sub-categories such as smart Blu-ray players, game consoles and digital media streamers.

In terms of key companies, Strategy Analytics found that Samsung has drawn level with Sony at the top of the rankings in terms of overall connected TV device units installed with the Korean CE giant poised to take the outright lead in the second half of 2018.

Commenting on the Connected TV Device report, Strategy Analytics director David Watkins, said: “The popularity of connected TV devices, in particular Smart TVs and dedicated media streaming devices such as Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast, has grown dramatically over the last few years and has led to a fundamental shift in how consumers view and engage with content on the TV set. Companies such as Roku have managed to build hugely successful businesses selling dedicated streaming devices on the back of this trend towards the online consumption of video in the living room. In fact we expect more than 55 million digital media streamers to ship globally this year although this will be overshadowed the 150 million plus smart TV market.”

David Mercer, vice president at Strategy Analytics added: “Sony has long been the global leader in Connected TV devices in terms of devices installed in homes thanks not only to its strength in smart TV and Blu-ray but also as a result of its leading position in the global game console market. However, as smart TVs take an ever-growing share of the overall market, Samsung will replace Sony at the top of the device footprint rankings later this year thanks to its dominant position in the world’s Smart TV market.”