Two out of every ten televisions sold in 2010 will have an Internet connection

According to the consulting firm Futuresource, 20% of televisions sold in Europe next year will have direct connection to the Internet.

The first televisions and Blu-ray devices capable of accessing content directly from the Internet have been appearing in Europe throughout this year. However, it will be in 2010, according to the consulting firm Futuresource Consulting, when devices connected to the Internet will gain ground. Futuresource predicts that two in every ten flat TVs sold in Western Europe next year will have a direct Internet connection.

Four major brands have already launched connected products that go beyond the basic functionality of home networks and allow over-the-top access to web services such as news portals, social networks and… video streaming! Futuresource believes that, although initially limited to mid- and high-end, web connectivity will gradually be introduced to all screens, becoming a standard within two or three years.

By the end of 2010, the installed base of connected televisions will already be 15 million devices, which represents almost 10% of the total number of flat screen televisions.
The next step for manufacturers will be to incorporate more attractive video services, including real-time pay-per-view that will create opportunities to share revenue with content owners, aggregators and application developers.

Futuresource expects sophisticated services throughout 2010, including video-on-demand services that will bring even greater competition to pay-TV operators.