More home networks, more streaming video

The percentage of home networks continues to climb steadily. In those households that have broadband, routers and networks have gone from 81 percent in 2011 to 84 percent in 2013. But the use of these networks has changed drastically in just a few short years. Now, nearly two-thirds of networked homes use it to stream video.

The statistics come from TDG research, which released In-Home CE and Home Network Ecosystem, 2013, outlining “the consumer electronic and PC ecosystem within the broadband household” over the past three years.

In an interview, TDG’s Michael Greeson, who authored the report, told Broadband TV News:

“Just a few years ago, network use was dominated by data-centric activities (email, messaging, productivity applications, etc.), with few consumers actually using their home networks to access and share digital media. Today, however, 62% of networked households are using their network to stream digital media.”

And it’s not just use. “Younger consumers,” said Greeson, “want their router located closest to the devices it serves most, which are increasingly found in the home’s primary entertainment center – that is, in the living room.”

In fact, the major determinant of network use is age, and age alone. Forty percent of so-called Millennials use their networks primarily for video, a rate that’s twice as high as older users.

In-Home CE and Home Network Ecosystem (TDG, May, 2013)

84% of US broadband households have home network (Broadband TV News, May 13, 2013)