[BusinessWire press release]

Watching television shows in 3D has become a regular activity for the majority of 3DTV owners, according to the latest research from the Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices service. According to the report, “3DTVs: Buying Intentions and Early Adopter Feedback,” two-thirds of 3DTV owners across the US and Europe are watching at least one show in 3D on a weekly basis. Forty-one percent of 3DTV owners claim to be watching shows in 3D at least once a day or several times a day.

“3DTV is confounding the skeptics and gaining traction with early adopters,” says David Mercer, Principal Analyst and the report author. “A significant minority of 3DTV owners now watch some TV in 3D on a daily basis, and this should be seen as an encouraging sign for content producers and the television industry in general.”

The survey also found that 3DTV owners typically own two pairs of 3D glasses, although a small minority (13%) claims not to own any 3D glasses. The research provides some evidence that the cost of buying additional pairs of glasses is seen as a barrier to 3D viewing: 53% of 3DTV viewers agree that they would buy more 3D glasses for family and friends if prices were lower.

“The glasses issue is very real,” says Jia Wu, Senior Analyst. “Naturally enough people would rather not have to wear them, but a majority of 3DTV viewers are prepared to put up with the inconvenience when the experience and entertainment value justify it.”

Editor’s note: Strategy Analytics conducted an online survey, the 2011 ConsumerMetrix Survey fielded in July 2011. The sample consisted of n=2000 individuals in the US and n=2801 in Europe (France, Germany, Italy, UK) ages 15-74 years. The sample of 3DTV owners was n=238.

Read the original post here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110809006419/en/Strategy-Analytics-Two-Thirds-3DTV-Owners-Watch-3D

[excerpt]

North America, Western Europe and Japan, which until recently collectively accounted for over half of the global market for new TV sales, will see that statistic diminish to less than 40% by 2015.

By contrast, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa and the Middle East will all increase their respective shares in new TV set shipments during the same period.

The findings were revealed by the latest update to the Television Shipment Database and Forecast produced by IMS Research. The report, which covers 70 countries, breaks down data by several TV types including LED-LCDs, 3D TVs and connected TVs.   …

The analyst pointed out that this contrasts sharply with the existing situation in developed economies, labelling them as saturated markets. “Most of these countries have completed their digital transitions, and consumers have already replaced their CRTs and purchased HDTVs. New features such as 3D and connectivity will drive sales, but they won’t motivate consumers to replace a flat panel TV purchased three years ago,” said Thayer.  …

…  Connected TVs and 3D TVs will start gaining traction in general, with TV manufacturers increasingly including these features as standard in most new models. Specifically, the report forecasts that by 2015 approximately 50% of the TVs shipped worldwide will have 3D capabilities, while over 60% will be able to connect to the Internet.

See the original story here; http://www.rapidtvnews.com/index.php/2011080914215/emerging-markets-powering-ahead-in-tv-sales.html