Roku still most popular streaming media player

Roku is still the most popular streaming media player in the US, accounting for 30% of players sold in the year to March, according to figures compiled by Parks Associates.

According to the research unveiled this week at INTX, Amazon is now running in equal second place with Google, each with 22% of the market, followed by Apple with a 20% share. Together the big four providers of streaming media devices account for 94% of the market, up from 86% in 2014.

Apple TV saw the largest increase in unit sales – 50% – over the year, thanks primarily to the launch of the new version of the product. Amazon also saw strong sales growth.

Amazon and Apple have made the biggest strides since 2014, when Amazon Fire TV accounted for 16% of US sales and Apple TV accounted for 13%, with Roku accounting for 34% and Google Chromecast accounting for 23%.

According to Parks Associates, 86 million streaming media players will be sold globally in 2019.

“Thirty-six per cent of US broadband households have at least one streaming media player, up from 27% last year,” said  Barbara Kraus, director of research, Parks Associates.

“Device makers have successfully sold streaming media players to consumers by offering easy access to a variety of content streams, as well as frequent updates that add the latest innovation. Amazon in particular has benefited by promoting its Fire TV devices in conjunction with the company’s Prime Video service as well as streams from HBO, Showtime, and other premium offerings.”