Chromecast Passes Apple TV in Streaming Media Device Market Share, Says Parks

In an update to a streaming media report, Parks Associates said 10 percent of U.S. broadband households bought a streaming media player or stick in the first three quarters of 2014, matching 2013 full-year sales figures. At the end of October, Roku led the market at 29 percent share, while Google's Chromecast replaced Apple TV in the No. 2 slot with 20 percent share versus Apple’s 17 percent, Parks said Tuesday. Amazon’s Fire TV holds the fourth spot at 10 percent penetration, it said. With the introduction of Amazon’s Fire TV Stick in November, Apple is now the only top streaming media hardware maker without a stick form factor, said Barbara Kraus, research director. On the content side, Showtime and Sony are planning to launch over-the-top video services to compete with HBO and Netflix, she said. Parks plans a session on “Monetizing Smart Home Solutions and Connected Devices” Jan. 6 as part of CES. The Parks Connections summit will include six executive sessions and a networking cocktail reception.