Woochifer
05-22-2009, 01:59 PM
This is actually lower than some of the other estimates I've seen that place the HDTV household penetration closer to 40%. But, nonetheless this is straight out of Nielson's People Meter database (which is used for generating TV ratings). Report linked below
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/hdtv_052109.pdf
Basically, the conclusion is that HDTV adoption continued to rise rapidly despite worsening economic conditions. Between February 2008 and February 2009, the HDTV penetration grew from 19.3% to 33.3%, which equates to a 72.5% growth rate in one year. Even if sales continue to level off, the HDTV penetration will continue to increase since the vast majority of TVs sold are now HD-capable.
The most surprising finding to me was how many households that own HDTVs are also receiving HD programming. As recently as two years ago, I recall that less than half of HDTV owners were watching HD programming. Now, you have 28.8% of all households owning HDTVs AND receiving HD programming. This means that 86.5% of HDTV owners now receive HD programming. Clearly, heavy promotion by cable and satellite companies has had some effect, and TV antenna sales have apparently also gone way up in advance of the DTV transition.
Some other findings:
- HDTVs had a higher usage of DVRs -- 44.6% versus 17.1% for SD TVs
- HDTVs had a higher usage of video game consoles -- 35.2% versus 23.2% for SD TVs
- 62% of HDTVs are located in common areas
http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/hdtv_052109.pdf
Basically, the conclusion is that HDTV adoption continued to rise rapidly despite worsening economic conditions. Between February 2008 and February 2009, the HDTV penetration grew from 19.3% to 33.3%, which equates to a 72.5% growth rate in one year. Even if sales continue to level off, the HDTV penetration will continue to increase since the vast majority of TVs sold are now HD-capable.
The most surprising finding to me was how many households that own HDTVs are also receiving HD programming. As recently as two years ago, I recall that less than half of HDTV owners were watching HD programming. Now, you have 28.8% of all households owning HDTVs AND receiving HD programming. This means that 86.5% of HDTV owners now receive HD programming. Clearly, heavy promotion by cable and satellite companies has had some effect, and TV antenna sales have apparently also gone way up in advance of the DTV transition.
Some other findings:
- HDTVs had a higher usage of DVRs -- 44.6% versus 17.1% for SD TVs
- HDTVs had a higher usage of video game consoles -- 35.2% versus 23.2% for SD TVs
- 62% of HDTVs are located in common areas