Parks Associates announced new research today that Roku is still the most popular brand of streaming media players, accounting for 30% of the players purchased from 1Q 2015 to 1Q 2016. Amazon moved into a virtual tie for second place with Google at 22% of sales. Along with Apple TV (20%), the four major players account for 94% of the streaming media players purchased, up from 86% in 2014.
“Thirty-six percent of U.S. broadband households have at least one streaming media player, up from 27% last year,” said Barbara Kraus, Director of Research, Parks Associates, in a statement. “Device makers have successfully sold streaming media players to consumers by offering easy access to a variety of content streams, as well as frequent updates that add the latest innovation. Amazon in particular has benefited by promoting its Fire TV devices in conjunction with the company’s Prime Video service as well as streams from HBO, Showtime, and other premium offerings.”
While Apple TV remains in fourth place among the four major brands, it had the largest increase in unit sales year-over-year, primarily due to its long-awaited new version, launched in 4Q 2015. 
“Roku and Amazon benefit from multiple form factors – both offer boxes and sticks,” Kraus added. “Sticks accounted for 50% of all unit sales in 2015. Approximately one-third of Roku sales were sticks, and roughly three-quarters of Amazon sales were sticks. Apple and Roku were essentially tied for selling the most boxes, but Roku is expanding its base with the additional form factor.”
Parks Associates estimates that 86 million streaming media players will be sold globally in 2019. In 2014, 34% of U.S. broadband households that bought a streaming media device bought a Roku, 23% bought a Google Chromecast, 16% bought an Amazon Fire TV, and 13% bought an Apple TV.
Source: Parks Associates
MacDailyNews Take: And Apple achieved that despite Apple TV not being carried by Amazon, not to mention that it’s $40 for a Roku Streaming Stick, $40 for an Amazon Fire Stick, and $35 for Chromecast vs. $149/$199 for an Apple TV.
By the way: If you’re not controlling your Apple TV with your Apple Watch, you’re missing out!
SEE ALSO:
Controlling Apple TV with your Apple Watch is a sublime experience – April 20, 2016
Google’s Chromecast widens lead over Apple TV in streaming device market share – March 9, 2016
Gaming shootout: Apple TV vs. Amazon Fire TV – February 10, 2016
New Apple TV has the potential to do for television what iPhone did for mobile phones – September 11, 2015
Apple preps to conquer living room with all-new Apple TV – September 11, 2015
Hands-on with the all-new Apple TV – September 10, 2015
Gruber: Apple TV will define how all TVs will work in a few years – September 10, 2015