Streaming media players most popular for online video in more than a fifth of broadband homes


Details

Joseph O'Halloran

| 06 November 2015





A steadily increasing number of US broadband households are turning to a streaming media player first when looking for online content says a Parks Associates study.


The connected CE research report found that currently 21% of US broadband households with at least one Internet-connected CE device use a streaming media player as the primary platform for online video, up from 12% a year ago. By comparison, streaming video usage declined for both connected gaming consoles and DVRs, and increased modestly for smart TVs.

In addition the report revealed that two-thirds of broadband homes in the US connect at least one device to the Internet. Among these households, a Microsoft Xbox is the most commonly used CE device for streaming at more than 14%, followed closely by Sony PlayStation at just less than 14%. Roku is third at 10%, surpassing brands such as the Nintendo Wii, Samsung, and Google for access to online video content.

"Streaming media players continue to stake out a growing portion of the connected home," explained Parks director of research and author of The Streaming Media Device Landscape, Barbara Kraus. "It is a rapid ascendance for streaming media players, and Roku in particular, especially considering the broad base of gaming console ownership compared to the lower penetration of streaming media devices. CE makers are expected to add more functionality to devices with the hope that the expanding usage can generate more data and increase revenue."