Roku isn’t the world’s best-selling streaming media player, but it’s the most used in the U.S., according to a new study from Parks Associates.
In a survey of 10,000 U.S. users conducted in the first quarter, Parks Associates found that, among homes with a streaming video media device, 37% primarily use the Roku, versus 24% for the Apple TV box, which both outpaced devices from Sony, TiVo, Netgear and Boxee, which was recently acquired by Samsung. Here’s how the group stacked up:
Overall, the firm found that the number of U.S. homes with a streaming video media device has doubled since 2011, reaching 14% in 2013.
Parks Associates forecasts that the number of connected TV devices sold globally will reach 330 million by 2017, almost doubling what it expects to be sold in 2013. For its part, Roku has sold more than 5 million streaming video players in the U.S. while Apple has sold about 13 million Apple TV units.
"Innovations such as next-gen game consoles and 4K or ultra-HD TVs will boost unit sales for these devices, but overall, consumers are reluctant to replace these big-ticket items solely for smart upgrades," said Parks Associates director of research Barbara Kraus, in a statement. "As a result, streaming video media devices will have a thriving market because they can offer innovations such as streaming video at low prices. Devices such as Roku's streaming players and Google's Chromecast will benefit from these market conditions."
