Roku more popular than Apple TV
David Farnor | On 10, Jul 2014
Roku is more popular than Apple TV, acccording to a new report from Parks Associates.
The study (The Evolving Market For Streaming Media Devices) shows that among US broadband households with a streaming media player, 44 per cent use a Roku player the most versus 26 per cent that use Apple TV the most. The gap has widened since 2013, when 37 per cent of streaming media player owners used Roku most and 24 per cent used Apple TV most.
The study follows the release of Roku’s new streaming stick, which offers the functionality of the set top box in a USB-sized dongle – a move that has heated up competition in the sector and prompted speculation that Apple is about to rebrand its own Apple TV offering.
Multiple factors have allowed Roku to outpace Apple in sales and usage, says Barbara Kraus, director of research at Parks Associates: “Roku has always had a close association with Netflix, the largest source of video downloads, and currently offers more than 1,700 channel apps as well as a choice of models with different features and price points, all of which appeal to consumers’ purchasing instincts. With Amazon entering this CE category [Amazon Fire TV launches this week in America], there will be renewed pressure on all players to develop the best combination of ‘can’t miss’ content with a simple and intuitive interface.”
Indeed, the sector is certainly growing, with Park Associates predicting that more than 1 in 4 US households will have a streaming media player by 2015
And what of of Google Chromecast? According to Parks Associates’ 1Q 2014 survey of 10,000 US broadband households, Google Chromecast sold as many units in six months as Roku sold in 2013, but overall, usage of the Chromecast has steadily declined since its introduction.
Parks Associates analysts report companies, to drive usage, will increase efforts to secure high-quality content, through deals such as the HBO and Amazon agreement, which brings HBO shows to Amazon Prime’s streaming video service in the US. In addition, should Apple release a new version of Apple TV with more functionality in 2014, it will create a more competitive market in the U.S.
“While approximately 50 per cent of U.S. households have at least one Apple product, such as an iPhone or iPad, the company has not yet been able to leverage this success for its Apple TV offering,” Kraus said.
“Apple has not committed support and promotion to its Apple TV product line in the U.S., and its sales reflect this fact. But they are the global sales leader in this category, having sold approximately 20 million units worldwide as of April 2014, compared to an estimated eight million for Roku at the end of 2013. As Amazon, the world’s largest online retailer, emerges as a new competitor in this space, it could awaken the sleeping giant that is Apple.”
Parks Associates reports global sales for streaming media players will reach nearly 50 million by 2017 while broadband household penetration in the US will exceed 38 per cent.
With Android TV, Amazon Fire and a possible new Apple TV on the way, the battle for what makes your TV smarter seems to just be getting started…
Which streaming media device is best? See our technology reviews.