200% Growth in Samsung Smart TV Apps
Samsung has more than 32 million smart TV’s in households throughout the USA (even more globally). These smart TV’s not only allow for inputs from connected TV devices such as Roku, FireTV, Apple TV and more, but they also come built with access to the Samsung TV app store. Samsung TV app store has been growing steadily over the past few years. Years ago Smart TV’s were considered a “Bust” and had very little viewership. However, this has changed significantly since 2011.
According to Samsung, ad research shows that since 2011 there has been a 200% growth in launching apps from the Samsung Smart TV. Tom Fochetta, VP of advertising sales at Samsung Ads, tells Video Insider. “Now we are seeing these OTT users launch these apps nearly every other day.
They are becoming part of their video content mix; consumers are seamlessly going back and forth between smart TV, a gaming console, smartphone, tablets, and consuming this video through multiple touch-points.”
Samsung also coined the phrase “Total TV Watchers” – A term they call viewers who both watch cable TV and who consume content via the internet (OTT).
Samsung found that “Total TV Watchers” would open TV apps on average 140 times per month and watch on average 11% more video content over the internet than the average viewer.
“They actually are making room in their media mix for more media content,” Fochetta says. “It is not a zero-sum game.”
All of this points to the fact that the definition of TV is changing. Users can now seamlessly switch back and forth from an array of different sources. This means that broadcasters need to transform their media plans and launch their own TV apps on as many connected TV devices and smart TV platforms as possible.
Growth is in all corners but Smart TVs have finally caught up with users – who are now turning to their Smart TV’s native app store more and more often.
With Smart TV’s in the living rooms of millions of people both nationwide and globally the audience potential is growing.
It’s not just a fact of “If” millions more will be tuning in to the apps on smart TV’s its “how soon”. Previously, audiences were hesitant to try TV apps or felt intimidated to use them to access video content. However, as Internet TV keeps making more headway more and more people are becoming aware and adapting.
Even the older generations are adapting to new viewing habits as technology becomes more accessible and easier to use.
Smart TV’s (also called Hybrid TV’s) are growing across the board (not just Samsung) with all major manufacturers. In fact, from year to year there is a significant increase in market penetration and with each manufacturer promoting their own app store it’s only going to get better for Internet TV network owners.
The global smart TV market is expected to register a growth rate of over 16.52% from now until 2023. With steady growth like this, it’s no wonder your top broadcasters are placing their networks within the reach of smart TV owners.
What this all boils down to for online TV networks owners is more opportunity to reach more people exactly where they want to interact with them – in their living rooms.
Many of our customers that have a TV app on Samsung see significant boost to their viewing audience and as the stats suggest this will only get better with time.
If you looking to start your own Internet TV network and have your own TV apps you should check out our Channel Manager.