Internet-Connected TV Sets to Triple by 2020

LONDON: The number of TV sets connected to the Internet is forecast to reach 965 million by 2020, which is nearly triple the figure expected this year, according to Digital TV Research.

In 2010, this number was at 103 million, and is predicted to rise to 339 million by the end of 2014. The Connected TV Forecasts report estimates that the proportion of TV sets connected to the Internet will surge to 30.4 percent by 2020, up from only 4.2 percent at end-2010 and 12.1 percent expected for end-2014. South Korea is set to have the highest proportion by 2020, with 52.7 percent, followed by the U.K. (50.6 percent), Japan (48.6 percent) and the U.S. (47 percent).

Of the 698 million additional Internet-connected TV sets added between 2013 and 2020, China is forecast to supply a whopping 160 million, followed by the U.S. (92 million) and India (75 million).

The number of installed smart TV sets overtook games consoles connected to the web in 2013. Smart TV sets will account for 36 percent of the 2020 total connected sets, with 346 million (of which 56 million will be in the U.S. and 74 million in China). From the 248 million to be added between 2013 and 2020, China will contribute 65 million, with the U.S. supplying an extra 27 million and India 29 million.