While many of the HDTV markets in Western Europe are relatively mature, US based ABI Research suggests Germany still has plenty of room for growth. There is also considerable interest in connected TV sets.
Of the 1,000 German respondents, only 38% claimed to own at least one HDTV, a penetration rate significantly lower than the data collected in France and the UK. Among these consumers, Samsung captured the highest share at 27%, with Philips following at 22% of respondents.
“Considering the relatively large viewer bases of analogue cable and FTA DTH reception (still viewing SD content), it is likely the demand for HDTVs is taking longer to develop,” said digital home senior analyst Michael Inouye in a statement.
The silver lining to the HDTV market thus far, however, is connected TVs. 13% of German respondents with a home network claimed to have a TV directly connected to the internet, a penetration rate that matched the UK, digital home practice director Jason Blackwell says.
“Further evidence of German consumers’ penchant for connected CE devices has been the relative success and traction of HbbTV in Germany,” according to Inouye.
Samsung and Philips have worked diligently to develop their respective internet-connected platforms, and considering the seeming penchant for connected features among German consumers, this likely contributed to bolstering each company’s market share through 2011.