Samsung Will Pass Sony in Connected TV Device Penetration This Year, Says SA

More than a billion connected TV devices are in use worldwide, said Strategy Analytics Monday, citing smart TVs, Blu-ray players, game consoles and digital media streamers. Smart TVs are 60 percent of the installed base of connected video devices, it said. Samsung has caught up with Sony at the top of the pack of connected TV device units and is poised to take the lead this half due to its dominant position in smart TVs, said analyst David Mercer. Companies such as Roku have built successful businesses selling dedicated streaming devices as consumer preference for viewing and engaging with TV content shifts, said analyst David Watkins. SA expects more than 55 million digital media streamers to ship globally this year, along with more than 150 million-plus smart TVs.