Smart CE Device Shipments to Reach 92 Million in 2016

SCOTTSDALE, AZ - As more consumers hook up their TVs to the Internet, shipments of smart consumer electronics (CE) devices are increasing. They will surpass 92 million units in 2016, according to new research from analyst firm NPD In-Stat.

“CE vendors fundamentally agree that, increasingly, consumers are becoming technically savvy and, as a result, are fully capable of using devices that are far more advanced than, say, the traditional pay-TV STB,” says Norm Bogen, vice president of research for NPD In-Stat. “In fact, they are not only capable of using smart devices, but consumers are eager to own smart devices that will afford them more freedom to access content outside the walled gardens of the pay-TV service providers, including content that is now widely available on the Web."

As a result, Bogen says, CE manufacturers are rushing to fill the gap between what pay-TV service providers offer and what consumers want. If CE manufacturers can substitute their own devices as alternatives to today's set-top boxes, some of the video revenue may be diverted their way. However, pay-TV service providers, foreseeing this possibility, have begun to develop and deploy their own smart set-top boxes.

NPD In-Stat's recent findings include the following:

• Unit shipments of smart CE devices will surpass 92 million in 2016.
• North American unit shipments of smart set-top boxes will reach 3.2 million in 2015.
• Video game consoles will lead the market in smart devices, rising to 36.7 million units in 2016.
• Total media devices shipped to Eastern Europe will reach 79.2 million devices in 2016.
• Asia Pacific will account for 37.1 percent of CE devices shipped worldwide over the forecast period.

Consumer electronic devices included in this forecast include the following:
• All types of digital set-top boxes
• Digital video recorders
• Blu-ray Disc players/recorders
• Video game consoles
• Streaming media players