iStreamPlanet, a  provider of live event and live linear streaming video solutions, today released the findings of a recent consumer survey it performed with The Diffusion Group (TDG), a research and advisory firm focused on the evolving broadband media ecosystem. The survey reveals the high value viewers place on live and live linear streaming video, resulting in a growing opportunity for content owners and distributors.

For years, US consumers have had three simple criteria when buying a television: price, size and picture quality. While those factors remain, American television buyers now are placing increased importance on technology features, including Internet connectivity and 3D display, according to the Smart TV Consumer Survey conducted by the IHS Screen Digest TV Systems Service from information and analytics provider IHS.

The value of traditional pay-TV service like cable, satellite, and telco TV appears to be waning. While close to 90% of broadband subscribers are still on the pay-TV dole – a testament to its importance in daily consumer lives - the perceived value of the service relative to prices paid has declined in the last 12 months, according to TDG Research. 

The overall infrastructure video equipment market will grow to reach US$3.8 billion dollars in 2017, up from $2.8 billion in 2012. Video encoders represent the fasted growing sub segment of the market, growing over 10% annually, compared to the market as a whole which grows at a 6% pace. Classic video servers, which are experiencing a high rate of integration as well as replacement with more modern IP-based architectures, increase at about 3% annually.

Television remains a key part of everyday life according to the latest Australian Multi-Screen Report covering the fourth quarter of calendar 2012. Australians watch an average 91 hours and 5 minutes (91:05) of TV per month, with playback viewing within seven days of broadcast accounting for 6:30.