Roku Tops Apple TV as Most-Used Streaming Device in the U.S.

DALLAS: A new report from Parks Associates finds that the number of U.S. broadband homes with a streaming media device has doubled since 2011, with Roku cited as the most popular.

In Parks Associates’ Connected TV: Trends and Innovation report, the firm finds that 14 percent of U.S. broadband homes have a streaming device in 2013. It expects the number of connected TV devices worldwide to reach 300 million annually by 2017, almost double the number to be sold in 2013.

The average product prices are set to decline during this period, but annual sales revenues will increase by almost 100 percent by 2017 as more households buy smart TVs, gaming consoles, Blu-ray players and streaming video media devices.

The firm says that Roku was cited as the most-used streaming media device in the U.S. market. In a survey of 10,000 broadband homes in the country, of those with a streaming media device 37 percent primarily use a Roku, compared to 24 percent that primarily use an Apple TV.

“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 Barbara Kraus, the director of research at Parks Associates. "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.”

“Roku customers are passionate about streaming, and we are delighted that independent research shows that we are the most popular streaming platform measured by usage on a U.S. household basis,” added Anthony Wood, the founder and CEO of Roku.