Almost half of internet capable TVs and devices are connected in US, finds new report

The latest Connected Home report from The NPD Group reveals that 47% of home entertainment devices in the US are currently connected and being used for online capabilities.

The research – which surveyed more than 4,000 US consumers in the first quarter of 2013 – found that internet capable TVs and Blu-ray disc players are the least likely devices to be used for online capabilities, while streaming media players and games consoles are used the most.

Netflix is the most popular app accessed via connected TVs (used by 40%), while YouTube and Hulu are used significantly less – 17% and 11%, respectively.

The news comes after it was revealed at Media Playground earlier this year that connected TVs in the UK are not fully utilised – with only one third of TVs with internet capabilities ever actually connecting to the web.

John Buffone, director of devices at NPD Connected Intelligence explained that though there are more Blu-ray players installed and connected to the internet compared with streaming media players, such as Apply TV and Roku, NPD expects that in the coming year, streaming media players will exceed the number of Blu-rays.

“Content usage remains dominated by Netflix and YouTube,” added Buffone. “An opportunity for digital distribution lies in enticing consumers to plug in to the Internet and download the apps available on devices they already own.”