Commentary

Future Holds Fewer Bedroom TVs, But TV/Smartphone Marriage

We are watching lots of TV -- maybe more than ever before. But are we buying more actual TV sets? Not so much.

For the first time, there has been a drop in the number of TV sets in U.S. homes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration: Now 2.3 TV sets per home in 2015 down from 2.6 in 2009.

Additionally, 39% of U.S. homes had three or more TV sets, down from 44% a year ago. The number of homes with one or two TV sets have more or less stayed the same -- 58% in 2015, versus 54% in 2009, and 56% in 2005.

The logic here? Who needs a big TV set in the bedroom when you have a more portable and personal tablet, laptop or smartphone.

Another key measure comes from households with no TV sets. That number is now 2.6% of U.S. homes, double the 1.3% level which has been the same since 1997.

My previous next-door neighbor had gigantic TV sets in every room -- living room, dining, all bedrooms, and apparently kitchen. Unfortunately, for the TV set manufacturers, I’m well under that average.

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TV manufacturers continue to ply their marketing craft when it comes to sell those big ticket entertainment devices -- in large part, targeted for those bigger living-room settings.  We are buying ever-bigger TV sets -- now averaging 45 inches TV sets. 

This includes 4K TVs, extra special smart TVs, Internet-connected TVs, and other entertainment function-laden TV sets. It is essentially a screen, which often occupies much of our evening hours — after working on smaller screens during the day.

Whatever revenue TV set makers are losing, there is the future hope that consumer data -- coming via those Internet connections -- will be turned into a profit center, selling it to marketers and other TV researchers.

Late last year, the Consumer Technology Association estimated fourth-quarter “shipments” of new 4K Ultra High Definition TVs -- all presumably with requisite smart TV/Internet access -- rose 40% in 2016 to 10 million units.

But as TV consumers, can we easily tweet, text or send an email over that screen? Not now. That comes via our independent smartphones, which probably sit right next our our TV remotes.

If you are TV manufacturer, your job is to figure out how to put those two devices together more seamlessly. If you are sa martphone maker, maybe that isn’t your main goal. That said... hello Apple.

1 comment about "Future Holds Fewer Bedroom TVs, But TV/Smartphone Marriage ".
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  1. Ed Papazian from Media Dynamics Inc, March 10, 2017 at 10:58 a.m.

    Wayne, averages can be misleading. I have no fewer than 20 TV sets in my home and just installed a wall to wall screen in my garage so I can watch the "Today Show" when I back my car out prior to commuting to my office for a whirlwind day of high tech presentations, provocative think big meetings etc.

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