HDTV-Reviews.co.uk

Tuesday, 07 November, 2006

HDTV growth driven by higher income households, says study

One in six households in the US now has at least one high definition-capable TV (HDTV), according to new consumer research.

Leichtman Research Group, Inc. (LRG), a research and consulting firm, found that the one in six households in the US now has at least one high definition-capable TV (HDTV).  This is a rapid increase from about one out of every fourteen households just two years ago. Yet, as much as ever, a disparity exists in HDTV ownership by household income level.

LRG’s latest research revealed:

• The mean annual household income of HDTV households is 42% above average


• 26% of households with annual incomes of over $50,000 have an HDTV compared to 7% of households with annual incomes below $50,000


• 26% of HDTV owners have more than one HDTV, up from 11% last year


• 29% of HDTV owners are likely to get another HDTV in the next year, up from 18% last year


• Only one-third of adults have heard of the digital TV transition, scheduled for February 17, 2009

“Millions of HDTV sets have been sold in the US in the past year, and more homes than ever are actually watching HD programming. Yet even with the price of HD sets decreasing, we see that growth of HD is being driven by those who can most afford to buy one, which in an increasing number of instances includes households with more than one HDTV set,” said Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for Leichtman Research Group, Inc.

“With just two and a half years to go before the digital TV transition takes place, two-thirds of Americans remain unaware of the pending analog cut-off, helping to explain why this deadline has had little impact on the purchase of HD and digital TVs to date.”