240 million to stream TV by 2014

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A new report from Juniper Research finds that the number of streamed mobile TV users on smartphones will increase to 240 million by 2014.

This increase will be driven by a rise in smartphone penetration and a growth in the usage of internet TV and IPTV services.

The report found that the substantial growth in streamed mobile TV users would arise from a combination of both increased smartphone penetration and, critically, an increasing usage of live and on-demand services both on TVs and PCs.

These catch-up and live internet TV services are already allowing users to become their own programme schedulers – mobile allows consumers to take this content away from the home by ‘placeshifting’ it and adding a new dimension to the TV experience.

Another driver for this growth is the need for consumers to be able to access time-critical content such as sports and news as they occur. These types of content are constantly changing and mobile TV allows consumers to become aware of events as they happen – particularly important for sports fans who typically wish to watch games live.

According to report author Charlotte Miller: "The smartphone really allows the consumer to transport the TV experience out of the home, allowing them to view live and on-demand content while on the move. The ubiquity of free WiFi also allows users of these services to access content without the threat of billshock – driving take up of streamed mobile TV services across all WiFi-enabled mobile devices."

Other key findings from the report include:

•           By 2016, nearly 10% of mobile TV revenues will be generated on tablet devices.

•           Usage of broadcast mobile TV will be minimal outside of the Far East & China.

•           Subscriptions will make up the vast majority of mobile TV revenues.