The TV remote is no longer strictly the rectangular, back-lit, button-filled object in your hand. From smartphones to even your voice, the TV remote is an ever changing object.

1. THE NEW TV REMOTE
DIGITAL TV IS SURGING. With the explosion of connected devices TV’s
accessories are being refashioned. New forms, new functionalities.

2. The New York Times reports 56%of millennials say they
prefer online video vs. TV because they can access content
anywhere.
As the traditional TV-changer begins to collect dust, here
are the contenders for the NEW TV remote.
THE QUEST TO BE A “NEW TV REMOTE” IS ON

3. THE CONTENDERS
NPD reports that by 2015 there will be 202 million internet-capable devices in US homes.
A 44% increase from 2013, representing gaming consoles, tablets, streaming
devices and connected TVs - all with their own way to “change the channel”
Mobile & Tablet
PCs
Connected Devices

4. TRADITIONAL REMOTE

5. In 2012, there were 350 million TV remotes in the US – nearly 3 per household (WSJ).
But TV shipments are set to decline for the second consecutive year.

6. IHS forecasts a 2.7% decrease
in television shipments this year,
and saw a 5.8% decrease last
year. (SolidState Technology)
2013
2.7%
2012
5.8%
TV SHIPMENTS DECREASE YET CABLE COSTS SOAR UPWARDS
The average TV bill was $86 in 2011. NPD Group estimates this will rise to $123
by 2015. (Forbes)

7. THE CORD-CUTTING RATE IS ACCELERATING
Moffett Research estimates more than 900k US homes cut the cord in
the past 12 months, versus 258k in the year prior. (MultiChannel News).
The ‘clicker’ is morphing as users turn
to digital content to consume content.

8. MOBILE & TABLET

9. COULD OUR FINGERTIPS BE THE
MOST PROMINENT TV REMOTE?
About 85% of Americans have a phone
or tablet in their hands while watching
TV and 70% of all tweets on Twitter
occur during programming rather than
commercials (Business Insider)

10. A “UNIQUE AUDIENCE”
Nielsen is incorporating new measurement for these consumers, dubbing them
the “unique audience,” (NYT) as mobile devices become the go-to object in hand
while watching TV.
+

11. Ooyala’s Q3 2013 Global Video Index
Report shows that the share of online
viewing occurring on mobile & tablets
have more than doubled year over year,
surging 133% in 2013 alone.

12. PCs

13. The PC mouse is the TV remote king…
during work. Ooyala’s Q2 2013 Global
Video Index shows that PC views rise
steadily during office hours and peak
at noon during the workweek.
More than 50% of the
content is “snackable” being
LESS THAN SIX MINUTES LONG

14. CONNECTED DEVICES

15. THE “LEAN-BACK” EXPERIENCE
Though as the work day winds down, people turn to connected devices for their “lean-back”
experience. From Rokus to Apple TVs to gaming consoles, the “TV remote” is represented in
many different forms.
31% of the time was
spent watching videos
longer than one hour.

16. Parks & Associates reports that by 2017 the
overall market of connected devices is expected
to double to 330 million per year. Growth in US
homes has already doubled since 2011,
reaching 14% in 2013. (CNET)
330
MILLION

17. SEE IT
WHAT’S NEXT?

18. THE TV REMOTE IS STILL CHANGING
In October of 2013 Comcast and Twitter announced the “See It”
button that allows users to change the channel with a tweet.
Voice activation and hand gesture “controllers” are becoming more
of a reality thanks to new technology from smart TVs and Xbox One.
SEE IT

19. Just as the term “TV” has blurred due to the proliferation of mobile devices,
the term “TV Remote” is following suit. It has changed, but isn’t done yet.
WHAT DO YOU THINK WILL BE NEXT FOR THE TV INDUSTRY?

20. SOURCES
• http://www.connected-intelligence.com/about-us/press-releaes/over-200-million-connected-tvs-and-attached-content-devices-expected-us
• http://dottech.org/131885/survey-shows-online-video-will-eventually-cannibalize-tv/
• http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/31/garden/frustrating-as-they-are-we-still-cant-live-without-tv-remotes.html
• http://electroiq.com/blog/2013/04/us-tv-market-set-for-second-consecutive-year-of-decline-in-2013/
• http://www.forbes.com/sites/amadoudiallo/2013/10/14/cable-tv-price-hikes-unsustainable/
• http://www.multichannel.com/index.php?q=distribution/cord-cutting-no-longer-‘urban-myth’-analyst/144824
• http://www.businessinsider.com/how-cell-phones-are-the-new-tv-remotes-2013-9
• http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/07/business/media/nielsen-to-measure-twitter-chatter-about-tv.html
• http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57598506-93/roku-hotter-than-apple-tv-report-says/
• http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/10/entertainment-us-comcast-twitter-idUSBRE9980TR20131010
• http://www.wired.com/reviews/2013/11/xbox-review/
• http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/213821/by-ooyalas-reckoning-distinction-between-tv-and.html