The amount of Australian households that have a Smart TV has increased by six times in the last four years, according to new findings released by Roy Morgan Research.
1.125 million Australian homes, which equates to 1 in 8 households, own at least one television with inbuilt internet connection.
More Australians are becoming accustomed to having internet access via their television sets, leading to a rise in devices providing that link. Telstra’s T-Box has grown in popularity, from 2.6 per cent of households in 2011 to 4.3 per cent by October 2014. Apple TV’s digital media player also grew, from 1.2 per of households in 2012 to a current reach of 4 per cent.
The research revealed 281,000 consumers in Australia say they intend to buy Apple’s TV device within the next year, which could see it overtaking the popularity of Telstra’s T-Box sometime in 2015.
Google’s Chromecast, which was only launched in Australia in May 2013, has reached 0.8 per cent of Australian homes.
“There’s no doubt Australian television is in for an epic 2015 as television viewing becomes redefined,” Tim Martin, General Manager – Media, Roy Morgan Research, said.
“With the roll-out of the NBN and new streaming services due to be launched, plus continued expected growth for Apple TV and Google Chromecast, Australian TV viewers will be inundated with ways to access the content they want, when they want it.”
576,000 Australians said they intend to buy a Smart TV this year.
