With eight in ten smart TVs already connected to the Internet in Spain, manufacturers and programmers expect the market to surge as Netflix kicks off a new era of over-the-top (OTT) video services.
Smart TV app developer Fractal Media estimates that five million smart TVs are already in use in Spain, 79% of which are connected. "It's a successful product because it opens the TV to the Internet, adds more relevant content for the user and integrates all devices at home in a single, smart screen," said the company in an analysis note.
Since Netflix arrived in the country last week, experts have been claiming that Spain's undeveloped OTT market is set to explode. "Smart TV will become a window display inside homes. Netflix will accelerate smart TV consumption and change the TV concept as we knew it," said the company.
"Multiscreen audiences are key for OTT players, but smart TVs have great importance as distribution channels for producers," added Fractal Media. "LG's agreement with Amazon to add HDR content to its smart 4K screens and Apple TV opening for the first time to app developers are moves pointing to the potential of smart technology for video consumption."