Samsung reaches 5 million TV app downloads milestone

(Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)

Consumers have downloaded more than 5 million applications for their TVs via Samsung Apps for TV, announced Korean electronics manufacturer Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. in a May 23 statement.

As the app craze permeates through the mobile phone ecosystem, consumers are embracing a similar personalized experiences on their TVs through a selection of made-for-TV apps.

In just 14 months, the Samsung Apps for TV store has grown to encompass more than 550 applications. Downloads are starting to soar, says Samsung, with the average download rate reaching 100,000 apps every four days.

"The success of our developers and the rate at which our downloads have increased are evidence that this new medium of apps designed specifically for the television experience is taking hold in the consumer living room," said. Kevin Kyungshik Lee, vice president, Visual Display Business, Samsung Electronics.

"These apps are one of the cornerstones of the overall Smart TV experience and they will continue to grow both in number and the diversity of experiences."

Applications in the categories of gaming, video and information account for nearly 60 percent of all apps in the store.

Not surprisingly, online video applications are some of the most popularly downloaded apps around the globe.

Video sharing app YouTube topped Samsung’s global TV download rankings.

Media consumption apps like Vimeo (No. 4 Global, No. 1 Latin America & UAE), Blockbuster (No. 6 Global, No. 2 U.S.) and Dailymotion (No. 9 Global, No. 1 Russia) also featured at the top of Samsung's most downloaded apps list.

Information apps such as Google Maps (No. 2 Global), AccuWeather (No. 3 Global) and USA Today (No. 7 Global) were popular with consumers too.

"It’s no surprise that these applications would be at the top of the lists globally and regionally," said Kang-hyun Kwon, senior vice president, Media Solution Center, Samsung Electronics.

"The TV is a family-based device and people want to lean back and enjoy their time in front of the TV. These apps are the entry point for consumers to discover other experiences on their TV like gaming and social networking as well as the limitless possibilities being created by our third-party developers."