Approximately 25% of the TV sets shipped globally in 2011 were internet-connected, a figure forecasted to approach 70% of total TV shipments during 2016, resulting in more than $117 billion in revenues, according to a new report by IMS Research (recently acquired by IHS, parent company of research company IHS Screen Digest). “Internet connectivity is becoming a standard on high-end TV sets, and it’s increasingly being added to mid-end televisions,” said Veronica Thayer, market analyst, IMS Research, and author of the Connected TV Sets – World – 2012 report.
The study also reveals that proprietary operating systems will remain the main type used by manufacturers in the next five years, though Android OS will start gaining presence and is expected to reach a significant share of the market by 2014. IMS Research’s forecast shows that during 2016, more than 80% of the connected TV sets shipped worldwide will have built-in Wi-Fi and close to 30% will have advanced user interface features such as motion, gesture or voice.
“Connected TV sets will help boost sales of flat panel TVs as the awareness and the demand for Smart TV features increases,” Thayer added. “However, the impact that internet-connectivity will have on total TV set growth will be diminished by the availability of other internet-connected devices such as Apple TV, Roku and game consoles.”
TV set manufacturers’ product launch plans are expected to drive the majority of the growth for connected TV sets during the forecast period, she concluded.
