Parks Associates: 64% of U.S. Broadband Households Have

DALLAS, TX--(Marketwired - Oct 21, 2014) - New research reports from Parks Associates highlight the financial and business opportunities in the expanding markets for pay-tv and OTT services, digital content, cloud solutions, and connected CE. The research firm's New Business Models for Connected CE reports 64% of U.S. broadband households have an Internet-connected CE and 55% have an OTT service subscription, an area poised for strong growth especially following HBO's announcement that it will launch a stand-alone HBO Go service.

"The HBO OTT service announcement should not really be a surprise given the overall trends in the video service space," said Brett Sappington, director, research, Parks Associates. "HBO has been aggressive in the online space for some time, first testing a direct-to-consumer approach in Europe through HBO Nordic, its OTT video service offering. Competition in this space is set to increase massively as pay-TV providers, broadcasters, cable networks, and other content producers introduce new OTT services. In our research reports, we analyze the impact of these current and future moves, plus the trends revealed in our consumer data, to provide the best strategic guidance to service providers, content owners, and retailers in this space."

"More than 75% of streaming media player owners have an OTT subscription," said Barbara Kraus, director, research, Parks Associates. "The high connection rate for all streaming devices highlights the high level of competition for all players in the industry. Video consumption on connected CE, smartphones, and tablets is increasing, with broadband consumers now averaging more than nine hours per week of consumption on these connected platforms. The market trends and consumer analysis featured in Parks Associates reports will help companies develop strategies to attract and retain the attention of these customers."

Parks Associates industry reports are available for purchase at www.parksassociates.com . They provide consumer trends, U.S. and global forecasts, and key recommendations for players within a focused market. Additional new reports include the following:

• Under Attack: Assessing New Threats to Pay TV - Although the number of pay-TV households will exceed 1 billion worldwide by the end of 2015, consolidation, direct-to-consumer services by content producers, and the emergence of new entrants threaten to radically change the traditional television industry.
• Cloud DVR: The New Face of Television - 48% of U.S. broadband homes have a DVR, acquired either at retail or as part of their pay-TV subscription.
• Top-Quality Video: The Emergence of 4K (and 8K) - Only 11% of U.S. broadband households are very familiar with 4K technology, but user-generated 4K UHD video could help increase awareness and interest: almost 80% of smart TV owners view user-generated video content on their device.
• The Reinvention of Gaming Consoles - The gaming console is the most common Internet-connected device throughout the U.S.; by brand, Wii and Xbox are in 35% of U.S. broadband households, and PlayStation is in 27% of households.

Parks Associates will address the challenges to European service and pay-TV providers at CONNECTIONS™ Europe and the changing entertainment landscape in the U.S. and worldwide at CONNECTIONS™ Summit at CES . To schedule an interview with an analyst or to request specific research data from Parks Associates, please contact Holly Sprague at hsprague@gmail.com .

About Parks Associates Parks Associates is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates creates research capital for companies ranging from Fortune 500 to small start-ups through market reports, primary studies, consumer research, custom research, workshops, executive conferences, and annual service subscriptions.

The company's expertise includes the Internet of Things, digital media and platforms, entertainment and gaming, home networks, Internet and television services, digital health, mobile applications and services, support services, consumer apps, advanced advertising, consumer electronics, energy management, and home control systems and security.

Each year, Parks Associates hosts industry webcasts, the CONNECTIONS™ Conference Series, and Smart Energy Summit: Engaging the Consumer. http://www.parksassociates.com