How long now has speculation about the Internet killing off DVDs and video stores been out there? It seems like it’s been just around the corner for at least five or six years. Lately though we are starting to see some evidence that Internet video delivery is hitting main stream. Consider these data points:
NetFlix: (Netflix Investor Relations)
- Subscribers grew 31% year over year to 12.3M
- 42% of Subscribers are streaming monthly
Internet TV: (CED Magazine)
- 25.7% of new TV’s purchased in January, 2010 where Internet capable!
- Of people viewing internet content on their TV, 42% are internet capable TVs, 20% are Game Consoles and the remainder are a mix of digital boxes, blue ray players or PCs.
Wal-Mart’s Vudu acquisition: (Vudu Press Release)
Best Buy’s Partnership with Sonic Solutions for content delivery: (MarketWatch.com)
With these statistics on streaming content , connected devices and even major brick and mortar players like Walmart and BestBuy getting into the fray, I can’t help but think the landscape for video delivery to the TV will be seeing some major changes over the next couple of years.
I happen to be in the market for a new TV, so I think I’d better make sure it’s internet capable. Now I just need to get an Ethernet port to my entertainment center!
I suggest a 3D TV w harddrive, IP availablity & Apps & a couple of ports(on the front for easy access), & maybe your STB should be an XBox ’cause it has games/cds/iptv-ott…Just a thought… MsMobileConverg