A new study confirms that connected-TV users are connected in more ways than one. Four out of five connected-TV owners use apps on a regular basis, according to a report by Parks Associates.

But don't worry if you're not among the connected, they aren't using it for educational or business purposes. Nearly 45% are using the apps to play games and 43% use them to watch video.

“Seventy-nine percent of smart-TV owners are regular app users, but the use cases for TV apps are different than smartphones and tablets,” said Heather Way, senior research analyst for Parks Associates. “TV viewing is a lean-back, shared experience, with apps as access points to complementary content, whereas smartphone app use is more personalized. Apps will alter the TV viewing experience by opening new avenues to discover content and also serve as a means for content owners to push premium content to households.”

Networks and advertisers are hoping to harness second screens with apps that will compliment programming on TV. Smartphones have the highest use rate of all app platforms, with 60% of U.S. broadband households owning at least one smartphone. Connected TVs are the next wave of smart technology, the report predicts that one out of four American homes will own one by the end of the year.

“App developers are focusing on the smart-TV platform for new apps, and TV manufacturers such as Samsung and LG already have their own app developer programs, which control app distribution and monetization,” Way said.

From the article, "Connected-TV users connect to apps too" by Gina Hall. 

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