6digitalUS digital TV and movie content audiences will grow faster than previously expected due to increased viewing on tablets and smartphones, a wave of internet-enabled TVs, and greater content availability, according to a new eMarketer report, “Digital TV and Movie Streaming: A Rising Tide of Devices, Content and Viewing.”

The number of US digital TV viewers will reach 145.3 million in 2017, up from 106.2 million in 2012, according to the research company.

The February 2013 figures represent increases ranging from 5.3% to 9.3% more than the corresponding figures in its August 2012 forecast.

Digital TV viewers will cross a critical tipping point in 2014, surpassing 50% of the US internet user population.

Digi1

Belkin and Harris Interactive surveyed US internet users on their willingness to replace cable TV with digital media subscriptions and found that 12% strongly agreed with the statement:

“I would consider replacing my cable/satellite subscription with a streaming media subscription (e.g., Netflix, Hulu Plus) in 2013.”

Another 18% said they somewhat agreed, indicating that a total of 30% of respondents were inclined to at least consider cord-cutting.

Digi2

As more people in the US watch digital media on a growing range of devices, streaming services are stepping up their competition for subscription and advertising dollars.

Netflix and Redbox are committed to monthly subscription plans, while Hulu offers both fee-based and ad-supported tiers. Amazon is using a membership plan tied to its Prime loyalty program as well as an a la carte tier, while Apple and Wal-Mart are concentrating on the latter model. Others, such as Sony’s Crackle, are using strictly ad-supported access, and premium pay TV content channels such as HBO, Showtime, ESPN and Viacom are extending access to existing subscribers via authentication models. The monetization strategies vary as much as the content, and so far it seems the market is accommodating all approaches.

Netflix reported US streaming revenues of $2.19 billion for 2012, with moderate growth from quarter to quarter. US DVD revenues totaled $1.14 billion and declined each quarter during this period, highlighting the company’s transition from a packaged-goods model to a streaming business. Paid streaming revenues worldwide also increased, reflecting Netflix’s expansion into Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Digi3

With hundreds of millions of ad dollars flowing to streaming services, marketers see new opportunities to connect with US customers on digital platforms. Hulu’s published revenue figures for 2012 indicate that the service is making more money from ads than from subscription fees, and network web sites, sports sites and other channels are also capturing ad revenues from the growing streaming audience in the US. Even content that resides behind pay walls can be monetized with ads. As the video streaming market continues to grow, so will the potential for advertisers to tap into it, eMarketer predicts.

Source: eMarketer.com