Analysts were surprised that Smart TV - or"Connected TV" – was such a huge trend at the CES show in Las Vegas back in January. Over 20% of all TVs in 2010 were sold with integrated internet functionality and market research firm DisplaySearch estimates that sales of Smart TVs will see exponentially growth in years ahead.

Smart TVs are expected to boom
Last year 3D and Smart TV were expected to be the major growth drivers for flat panel TV sales in the future. 3D has not been a great success but consumers seem very interested in the Smart TV trend that will allow users to connect their TVs to the internet and other connected devices.

Research firm DisplaySearch has projected that sales of flat panel TVs with Smart TV functionality will surge in years to come. A Smart TV allows users to connect to the internet and see video-on-demand content, YouTube content and much more. Other connected devices will play a part in the eco system and lately we have seen that tablets and smartphones can control TVs or stream content to TVs.


Smart TVs are expected to boom. Source: DisplaySearch

Europe and North America are expected to lead this growth, according to DisplaySearch. In 2014 DisplaySearch estimates that Smart TV sales will reach 123 million.

DisplaySearch also says that video over the internet will act as a supplement to actual TV reception in Europe and North American in the years to come. Eventually it will be considered an alternative by consumers. However, in China DisplaySearch sees a different pattern. Because China has no established nation-wide terrestrial TV platform, internet TV will grow faster and establish itself as a dominant TV signal platform.

Lastly, DisplaySearch says – in a separate report - that both Smart TV and 3D are important parameters when choosing a TV but consumers seem to be more interested in the size of the TV. Size is still one of the most important factors when choosing a new TV.
Analysts also underlines that consumers are replacing their TVs more often today than in the past.

Source: DisplaySearch