Televisions could succeed PCs as the top online video platform

Whether you use a gaming console, a Blu-ray or media player, or a smart TV, it’s no surprise that Internet-connected TVs are on the rise. But NPD Group’s latest quarterly Connected Home Report shows that the numbers took a big jump from the same time last year, showing connected TVs rising around 17 percent, or 6 million homes, for a total of 42 million in the first quarter of 2014. That’s a whole lotta TVs on the Web, putting the big screen in prime position to overtake the PC as the most ubiquitous Internet-equipped component.  NPD cites the ever-increasing popularity of streaming media players is a major driving factor in the rise of connected TVs. Whether using Rokus, Apple TVs, Google’s Chromecast, Amazon’s Fire TV, or a slew of other devices, consumers have more choices than ever to get their favorite online content to the big screen.