Some 10 Percent of U.S. Viewers To Watch 4K Content Online by 2021, Says Report

One in 10 U.S. consumers will view 4K video online by 2021, up from one in 500 this year, said a Juniper Research report Monday. Globally, over-the-top 4K content services will have more than 189 million users in five years, Juniper said, up from 2.3 million this year. Connected TV will be the primary viewing medium, but viewership also will happen on smartphones, tablets and PCs, Juniper said. Device compatibility has been a barrier for online 4K video because of limited availability of 4K-capable streaming devices. Although YouTube, Netflix and Amazon offer some 4K video, network providers have been waiting for a critical mass of content to become available before launching their own 4K offerings, said Juniper. Rollouts of new 4K offerings this year, such as the Sky Q 4K service in the U.K., and device launches such as the 4K-capable Xbox One S, are expected to spark a rise in 4K viewing, said analyst Lauren Foye. Meanwhile, 8K content is a “long way from becoming mainstream,” said Foye, saying 8K smart TVs will hit the market first, followed by streaming devices and set-top boxes.