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Web TV’s fast growth confirmed |
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| Chris Forrester, on 24-07-2008 |
Web video, and TV services like YouTube and the BBC’s iPlayer, are no longer confined to PC users, according to “Digital Media Devices Global Market Forecast,” just published by Strategy Analytics. A wave of recent announcements from major players such as Sony, Microsoft and Samsung confirms that internet-enabled TVs, games consoles and peripherals, such as Blu-ray Disc players, will soon deliver web-based content to millions of TV viewers around the world.
According to Strategy Analytics estimates, by the end of 2008 some 186
million connected TV devices worldwide will be able to access some form
of internet content.
“The web video explosion has so far been restricted largely to PC
users,” says David Mercer, VP and Principal Analyst. “Now it is moving
to the TV screen. While business model and content partner issues are
still to be resolved, the floodgates are open – web video is set to
become a regular part of the TV viewing experience.”
Connected TV devices allow viewers to access the internet using a home
broadband connection. The technology can be integrated into the TV
itself, or more often is available through devices such as games
consoles, set-top boxes, digital video recorders (DVRs) and digital
media adapters like AppleTV. Sony recently announced that all of its
TVs would feature web connectivity within the next three years. In the
US, Sony will offer the movie, Hancock, over the internet, to owners of
its Bravia TV sets, using its Bravia Internet Video Link.
“Internet connectivity is becoming commonplace across a wide spectrum
of consumer devices,” says Peter King, Director, Connected Home
Devices. “By 2014 more than two-thirds of all products sold will
integrate Internet access.”
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