By : Chris Tribbey | Posted: 27 Jul 2009
ctribbey@questex.com

Blu-ray Disc player household penetration is up to 12.3 million for the first quarter of 2009, a 71% gain year over year, according to new data from research firm Centris.

Centris’ July 27th “U.S. Communications and Entertainment” report also notes large year over year gains in household penetration for all three next generation gaming systems: 15.2 million for the Nintendo Wii (up 85%), 11.4 million for Xbox 360 (up 28%) and 7 million for PlayStation 3 (up 52%).

“As with our previous research findings, there are several key observable trends as technology developments, marketing programs, and the economy take their toll on the industries in which our clients compete,” said Centris president William J. Beaumont.
“In some areas, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in consumer use of home technology, which flies in the face of what one might expect in this economic landscape.”

The number of American households with an HDTV is up to 50.5 million, a gain of 33% from the first quarter of 2008. Both satellite and cable industries appear to have matured, however, with satellite subscribers up only slightly to 32 million and cable subscribers mostly unchanged at just less than 63 million.
 

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