Parks Associates: 10% of U.S. Broadband Households Have Purchased a Streaming Media Device to Date in 2014

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Dec 2, 2014) - Parks Associates announced updated streaming media device data today showing 10% of U.S. broadband households purchased one of these devices, either a streaming media player or stick, in the first three quarters of 2014, already matching sales from 2013. The research finds Roku is still the leading brand with 29% of sales, but Google Chromecast (20%) has supplanted Apple TV (17%) in second place. New entrant Amazon Fire TV is in fourth place with 10%. Consumer content choices are also increasing, with Showtime and Sony planning to launch their own OTT video services to compete with Netflix and HBO.

"Nearly 50% of video content that U.S. consumers watch on a TV set is non-linear, up from 38% in 2010, and it is already the majority for people 18-44," said Barbara Kraus, Director, Research, Parks Associates. "The market is changing rapidly to account for these new digital media habits. Roku now offers a streaming stick, and Amazon's Fire TV streaming stick leaves Apple as the only top player without a stick product in the streaming media device category."

During the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas next month, Parks Associates and companies including Amazon, AT&T, TiVo, and Comcast will examine next-generation TV services and the video ecosystem at the market research firm's CONNECTIONS™ Summit : Monetizing Smart Home Solutions and Connected Devices, January 6, 2015, in Las Vegas. The summit includes six executive sessions and a networking-and-cocktails reception sponsored by Greenwave Systems. The following sessions will focus on streaming media content, devices, and business strategies:

"Streaming Media Devices in the Video Ecosystem," featuring speakers:

• Michael Clegg, SVP and GM of Service Provider Business, NETGEAR
• Jim Denney, Vice President, General Manager, Product Marketing, TiVo Inc.
• Jim Funk, SVP Product Management, Roku
• Elad Nafshi, VP Video Product Management, Comcast
• Michael Paull, VP of Digital Video, Amazon
• G W Shaw, Vice President, U-verse and Video Products, AT&T

"Consumer Demand for Next-Gen TV Services," featuring speakers:

• Rob Aksman, Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer, BrightLine
• Chris Carey, Chief Product Officer, Verizon Digital Media Services
• Rich Cusick, General Manager, Video, Gracenote
• Eric Grab, Chief Technology Officer, DivX, LLC
• Christy Martin, Chief Technical Advisor, ThinkAnalytics
• JT Taylor, Senior Manager, Cisco

Roku leads the U.S. market for streaming media devices, but Apple was ahead in global 2013 sales for streaming media players, as reported by Parks Associates in July. In 2013, Roku accounted for nearly one-half of streaming media players (46%) purchased in the U.S., while Apple had 26%. Both Roku and Apple have seen their shares of purchase decline with the launches of Google Chromecast and Amazon Fire TV.

"More than 25% of U.S. broadband households will have a streaming media player by 2015, and by 2017, there will be nearly 50 million streaming media players sold globally," Kraus said. "Their low cost will make streaming media devices popular gifts this holiday season, and the race to meet consumer demands for online video will make this product category a very hot topic at the 2015 International CES."

CONNECTIONS™ Summit will be held Tuesday, January 6, at CES Tech West in the Venetian Ballrooms Level 1, Casanova Rooms 601-603. Greenwave Systems is the Reception Sponsor, and Event Sponsors include Alarm.com, Amdocs, Axiros, Ayla Networks, CSS Corp, Earth Networks, EcoFactor, Emerson, Lowe's, Qualcomm, Resolution Products, ROC-Connect, Support.com and ULE Alliance.

For information, contact sales@parksassociates.com or call 972-490-1113. Follow the event on Twitter at @CONN_Summit and #CONNSummit15. Registration is open to registered CES media and attendees.

About CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES
CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES, hosted by international research firm Parks Associates, focuses on emerging areas critical to the growth of the connected home, including 4K, Internet of Things (IoT), tech support, and more. The interactive panel discussions, featuring consumer research and analysis, provide insights from key industry players on innovative business models, unique monetization strategies, and technology adoption rates and consumer trends for digital home solutions.

The 2015 CONNECTIONS™ Summit will take place January 6, 2015, during CES Tech West at The Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas. Follow the event on Twitter at @CONN_Summit.

For information about CONNECTIONS™, contact sales@parksassociates.com or call 972-490-1113 or visit www.connectionssummit.com.