Web TV and Blu-ray set for dramatic growth

Sales of Web video device shipments will experience global growth of 78% year-over-year from 2009 to 2010. The device categories that will see the most significant uptake in the short term are connected TVs and connected Blu-ray players, according to the newly released IMS Research report Market Opportunities for Internet Video to the TV – 2010 Edition.

Rebecca Kurlak, author of the report, said in a statement: “with the Blu-ray Disc Association releasing the Blu-ray 3D specification a month ago, and the continued decline in the device category’s average selling price, IMS Research expects consumers to welcome Blu-ray players into their homes. And, with nearly all Blu-ray players manufactured with IP connectivity enabling access to VOD libraries like Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, and CinemaNow, Blu-ray players are more compelling for purchase consideration than they have been since their market debut.”

Kurlak continued: “at the Digital Living Room Conference, it was announced that 10% of the 2009 box office sales were attributed to 3D movies. Our forecast accounts for this growing preference, and we expect global connected Blu-ray shipments to exceed 28 million devices in 2011.”

This report builds onto IMS Research’s first internet video household and device study that was released in December 2008. Equipment forecasts include internet connected equipment such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, media extenders, proprietary equipment, retail DTT+IP STB and connected TV sets. While the previous forecast revealed opportunities in this nascent market, the new study incorporates the latest shipment data and industry trends along with splits of pay versus ad-supported content delivery. This update also extends the forecast period through 2015, at which time households with the ability to view internet video on the TV are expected to exceed 473 million.