MediaPost Publications

Although initially a hot seller, Google Chromecast usage has cooled somewhat -- partly because of a hotly competitive market overall for Internet-connected TV devices.

Parks Associates says new streaming media devices have grown in usage to nearly 20% of U.S. broadband homes in the first quarter of 2014 -- up from 14% in 2012. Homes that own a Chromecast dongle -- which attaches to the back of TV sets -- are at 6%.

Research says Chromecast owners who use the device at le ...read more

Easy to use and relatively inexpensive, Google’s Chromecast streaming media device caught on quickly with consumers, but it doesn’t hold much staying power when it comes to consistent usage.

According to new research from Parks Associates, about 6% of U.S. broadband households own a Chromecast dongle (out of about 20% of households that have some sort of streaming media player, such as AppleTV or Roku).

However, monthly usage rates have dropped since last year. In the th ...read more

So, from what it appears, or at least as it’s written, the early adoption of Chromecast by American consumers has now cooled significantly, or at least that’s the word from Parks Associates in a widely reported study.

When Google unveiled its cheap ($35) Chromecast dongle in July 2013, it quickly sold out—I mean, quick like Bruce Springsteen concerts at Madison Square Garden--and the streaming device became Everyman’s over the top viewing device. Number one with a bullet.

...read more

New investments in OTT and recent consolidations in the space seem to show that OTT technology is here to stay. In fact, new research from Parks Associates here shows that OTT video adoption is increasing, especially in younger consumers, as 40% of consumers select online video as their most important source of video.

Given this fact, it is no surprise that big media players and startups alike are looking at how they can leverage OTT platforms and are adjusting their busines ...read more

Parks Associates today said the amount of online video seen via a TV screen went up to 3 hours per week in the first quarter of this year, up from 2.3 hours in the same quarter in 2013. Matching up those quarters for PC viewing of videos, time spent fell from 8 hours in 2013 to 6.2 hours in the first quarter of 2014.

“In addition to smart TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles, consumers are also buying streaming media players and devices such as Google's Chromecast,” stated ...read more

As more consumer devices and services get connected, they’re looking for more in the way of tech support services, particularly those that protect against loss, theft and or virus protection.

According to new research from Parks Associates, more than 50% of U.S. tablet and smartphone owners are interested in protective tech support services, despite fewer than 10% having ever experienced a catastrophic problem. According to the survey, 55% of smartphone owners want some serv ...read more

Among those who use streaming media players, Roku owners tally slightly better results than Apple TV when accessing new subscription video platforms.

Market research company Parks Associates says 86% of Roku owners compared with 77% of Apple TV owners use a subscription over-the-top video companies, like Netflix or Amazon Prime Instant Video.

Looking at specific subscription video on demand services (SVOD), Roku owners use more Netflix than Apple owners -- 75% to 63%. Bu ...read more

Major TV broadcasters are starting up a locally based interactive TV trial in three markets which will deliver enhanced content and advertising during local TV newscasts.

Parks Associates estimates the number of smart TV U.S. homes will reach 42 million this year, representing 36% of all TV households.

From the article, "Broadcasters Debut Pearl, Interactive TV Tested In 3 Trial Markets" by Wayne Friedman.