Half of New Flat Panel TVs Will be Connected by 2015, Says Report

While the jury might still be out about 3D-enabled HDTVs, connected TV production is growing quickly. A quarterly report from DisplaySearch found that this year, more than 25 percent of all flat panels shipped will be Internet-enabled. That figure will grow at a speedy rate, and in 2015, 138 million connected TVs will ship, accounting for 47 percent of the flat panel market.

This rise isn't just happening in Europe or the United States, either. DisplaySearch finds that it's a global phenomenon.

"The adoption of connected TV is not just taking place in developed regions," says Paul Gray, DisplaySearch's director of TV electronics research. "Emerging markets often have good broadband services, and there is a thirst from consumers to get the best content available."

The report highlights other TV trends, like the rise of Wi-Fi Direct, which lets TVs easily connect with mobile devices. Over 98 million TVs with 802.11 connectivity will ship in 2015, the report claims.

"Wi-Fi technologies are the foundation of smart TVs," adds Gray. "We expect that in 2015, 35 percent of 46-inch or larger TVs in North America will be smart TVs, defined as having the following capabilities: able to retrieve content from the internet without the restrictions of a portal; intelligent search and recommendations; upgradeable by its owner; and able to network seamlessly with other devices in the home."

Visit DisplaySearch to purchase the full report.