Andre Yoskowitz
1 Jun 2009 23:16
HDTV ownership increased 73 percent over the 12 months ended February, says new Nielsen figures, reflecting the continuing falling prices in the sets.
The overall growth also "fueled" growth in Blu-ray players and Blu-ray titles, says the report.
Last February, 19 percent of U.S. households had one HDTV and that number has now jumped to 33 percent.
For the same period, Blu-ray spending doubled to $230 million USD, while at the same time DVD spending fell 15 percent. Blu-ray standalones sold jumped 72 percent for the same period, thanks mainly to falling prices and the increase in HDTVs in American households.
"Despite the current economic climate, HD is on course to becoming the benchmark in television viewing," Nielsen adds. "As prices of HDTVs continue to fall and circumstances such as the Digital Television Transition create opportunities to further promote HD sets and services, HDTV will gain a greater foothold in U.S. television homes."