• by Wayne Friedman , April 25, 2016

New research shows that connected TV devices are on the rise -- and now represent greater numbers than pay TV set-top boxes in the U.S.

Leichtman Research Group says there are 3.3 connected TV devices per household; with 2.2 pay TV boxes per TV home.

Some 65% percent of U.S TV households have at least TV set connected to the Internet -- to a smart TV, standalone device (Apple TV, Roku, or Chromecast), video game system or Blu-ray player. This is up from 44% in 2013 and 24% in 2010.

Across all U.S. households, there are 2.1 connected TV devices per household, with 1.8 pay-TV set-top boxes per household.
Nielsen says there are 116.4 million TV homes, with other research showing a total of 96.6 million pay TV homes.

In addition, 83% of homes with any type of connected TV device have a pay-TV service, and 38% of adults with a pay-TV service watch video via a connected TV device at least weekly. Also, 79% of all TV sets in U.S. homes are HDTVs -- up from 34% of all TV sets in 2010; and 3% in 2004. 

Leichtman's findings are based on a survey of 1,206 TV households throughout the U.S., coming from its 13th annual study of U.S. TV usage.