Connected TVs now in 42 million US homes

LG Smart TV

In the first quarter of the year, some 42 million homes in the US had a TV set that was connected to the internet, up from 36 million in Q1 2013, according to NPD.

The research firm’s Connected Home Report said that most of the 6 million increase was driven by growth in the number of homes with connected TVs and streaming media players, with the latter now outnumbering connected Blu-ray players for the first time.

“Consumers want devices that can deliver high-quality content to their TVs. The increase in Connected TV and streaming media player penetration is proof that consumers are investing in solutions that can provide app-related content in the simplest, most effective way,” said John Buffone, executive director, Connected Intelligence, at NPD.

The report found that 67% of connected TV users said having a device that can connect to the web wirelessly influenced their decision about which device they preferred to use for apps on TV.

“In some ways the TV viewing experience consumers want has not changed, although how they receive it continues to, and an app experience is no different. Consumers want easy to find, entertaining programming and a quality picture that does not buffer. While device manufacturers cannot solve all of the challenges inherent in internet content delivery, they can ensure viewers have an easy to use remote and home screen as well as facilitate content discovery,” said Buffone

Overall, TVs were connected to the internet either via a games console, Blu-ray player, streaming media player or through the TV itself.