New Apple TV sales nearing 1M, but rival Roku is keeping up

The hype around Apple’s $99 revamped Apple TV seems to have died down, but it looks like sales haven’t, as it’s set to cross one million units sold later this week, according to Apple.

But that’s not slowing down the success of rival set-top box maker Roku, which saw its sales double when the new Apple TV was launched in September, the company’s CEO Anthony Wood revealed in an interview with Business Insider. It expects to sell its millionth device by the end of year.

That both companies are seeing strong sales this season points to consumer demand for streaming video content in their living rooms.

We knew that Apple had a hit on its hands with the Apple TV’s vastly cheaper price point, and its support for Netflix streaming and 99-cent TV rentals. Apple says that over 400,000 TV episodes and over 150,000 movies are being rented and purchased each day by iTunes users around the world, but that doesn’t tell us anything about specific Apple TV numbers. The device isn’t perfect — Apple only has access to broadcast network shows from ABC and Fox (leaving out NBC and CBS), and many were disappointed that the Apple TV lacks apps, considering it’s based on the same iOS software as the iPhone and iPad.

roku xdIt looks like Roku is able to mop up sales with consumers who are interested in an Apple TV-like experience, but don’t want to deal with the ATV’s limitations. Roku’s streaming set-top boxes start at $60, and the highest end model is available for the same $99 price as Apple’s box. The company’s devices also offer Netflix streaming support, but unlike the Apple TV, they have access to Amazon’s on-demand movie and TV library, Hulu Plus, and sports content from the likes of MLB.tv and UFC.

The company launched its second generation of devices, which bring HD support to the cheapest model, as well as a slew of new features, only a few weeks after the new Apple TV was announced.

Roku has been in the streaming video business since 2008, when its first-generation device launched together with lots of marketing muscle from Netflix. Wood says that its revenues will surpass $50 million in 2010, and it expects surpass $100 million in sales come next year.

Unless Apple improves the Apple TV’s content offerings and finally delivers on apps, it risks losing out on even more sales to the cheaper and more capable Roku box. Roku says that it’s going to focus on broader retail distribution, more licensed products (like the Netgear Roku box) and more content channels. I also expect that Google TV will see some major improvements next year, which could also compete against Apple.

  • http://twitter.com/Dreyti Khizhnyak Maxim

    Cool stuff! But I costs too much in Ukraine…

  • http://thegermaphobe.net Ryan
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  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_N2A7DCQXNMPRTXONBSKU3MTMWE JD

    If you bothered to read Apple's press release you will note that those numbers – the 150K and 400K are ACROSS ALL DEVICES IN iTUNES GLOBALLY…not on Apple TV and certainly not in NA like Roku. Think about it this way – Roku is only online…and ONLY in North America – probably due to licensing issues, Roku is kicking some serious ass right now. Also, please explain the “vastly superior price point” when a paragraph below you state Roku units are $40 cheaper… Superior to what? Google TV? What ever happened to checking the facts?

  • http://www.devindra.org Devindra Hardawar

    Take a deep breath and calm down, I'm referring to the fact that it's cheaper to the previous Apple TV. You're right about the iTunes numbers and I'll fix that, but if you want to be taken seriously don't act like a frothing fanboy. I'm actually arguing in favor of Roku fella–And just to point this out, I never even wrote “superior” in the post, that's your fanboy blind rage filling in the blanks for you.

  • http://appletvcs021.wordpress.com/2011/10/14/excecutive-summary/ Excecutive Summary « Apple TV Case Study 2011

    [...] Hardawar, Devindra. New Apple TV Sales nearing 1M, but rival Roku is keeping up. December 21, 2010. http://venturebeat.com/2010/12/21/apple-tv-1m-sales-roku Retrieved [...]

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