Installed Base of 'Smart TV' Web-Enabled Home CE Devices to Reach Over 230 Million by 2014

The Majority Deployed in North America and Europe, Says In-Stat

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The global installed base of web-enabled stationary consumer electronics (CE) devices is growing rapidly and includes a wide variety of devices. Typically, web-enabled CE devices can execute widgets, small software application programs that directly access an online portal, such as Netflix, Amazon VOD, Pandora, or YouTube. The development and use of Smart TV applications are expected to proliferate over the next five years and, as a result, web-enabled CE device shipments are expected to grow 6 fold, surpassing 230 million installed units by 2014, the majority of these in North America and Europe, says In-Stat.

“Consumer adoption of online applications, using web-enabled CE devices, will be regionalized, or in some cases, country-specific,” says Keith Nissen, Principal Analyst. “For example, in China, there is very little licensed video entertainment content available for delivery over the Internet. In contrast, the availability of online video entertainment in Europe and North America is expected to grow substantially over the next five years. The primary markets for web-enabled CE devices will correlate to where online video is also available.”

Recent research findings include:

• There is a distinction between network-enabled and web-enabled CE devices.
• In 2014, nearly 70% of DTVs shipped will be network-enabled devices, although many will not be web-enabled.
• The popularity of the over-the-top (OTT) video is creating interest in enhancing the the IP video capabilities of cable, satellite and IPTV set top boxes (STBs).
• The vast majority of Blu-ray disc players and recorders shipped will be both network-enabled and web-enabled devices.
• Yahoo! Widgets is the major TV app platform in the industry, though Sony and Samsung have developed their own proprietary platforms.

New In-Stat research The Global Market for Web-Enabled “Smart” CE Devices (#IN1004651RC) provides an update on the worldwide deployment of network-enabled and web-enabled stationary CE devices and reviews the economics behind the video entertainment industry today. Included are five-year shipment forecasts, by device, segmented by wired and wireless network connectivity as well as the ability to run online applications/widgets. Devices included are:

• Digital TVs
• DVD and Blu-ray players/recorders
• OTT set top boxes
• Video gaming consoles
• DVRs/PVRs
• Network storage devices
• Pay-TV set top boxes.

For a free sample of the report and more information contact Elaine Potter, epotter@in-stat.com; (480) 483-4441.