Apple TV sales topped $1B in 2013, becoming Apple's fastest growing hardware
Sales of the Apple TV are estimated to have grown by 80 percent in 2013, reaching around 10 million units for the calendar year, or some $1 billion worth of set-top boxes sold to end users.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook revealed during his company's annual shareholder meeting on Friday that total sales of the Apple TV topped $1 billion in 2013. Priced at $99 each, that would mean sales were beyond 10 million for the year.
In response to the new data released by Cook, analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco took to Twitter to reveal he estimates that sales of the Apple TV have increased by 80 percent year over year. That would make the Apple TV the company's fastest-growing hardware product.
Dediu estimates that 28 million Apple TV units are around $3.5 billion, with 28 million units sold since 2007. If the Apple TV is included in total iOS device sales for 2013, Apple shipped about 250 million units running iOS last year.
Cook's announcement comes the same day that Apple has launched a new promotion providing a free $25 iTunes gift card with the purchase of a new Apple TV in the U.S. Given that the device hasn't seen a hardware upgrade since early 2012, it's been taken by some as a sign that a new model could be revealed in the near future.
Bloomberg supported that assertion earlier this month, when the publication claimed that a new Apple TV is set to be introduced in April. Unnamed sources suggested that while Apple may show off a new device, it's not expected to go on sale to the public until later this fall, implying that it could be a significant revision of the current third-generation Apple TV.
Over the last year, Apple has been steadily adding new channels to the Apple TV, offering users new ways to access high-definition content on their television. Despite this, there is still not a formal App Store for the Apple TV -- something a vocal subset of users have been clamoring for since the redesigned, iOS-based set-top streamer became available.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook revealed during his company's annual shareholder meeting on Friday that total sales of the Apple TV topped $1 billion in 2013. Priced at $99 each, that would mean sales were beyond 10 million for the year.
In response to the new data released by Cook, analyst Horace Dediu of Asymco took to Twitter to reveal he estimates that sales of the Apple TV have increased by 80 percent year over year. That would make the Apple TV the company's fastest-growing hardware product.
Apple CEO Tim Cook admitted Friday it's hard to continue referring to the Apple TV as a "hobby" with more than $1 billion in sales in 2013.Given the success of the Apple TV last year, even without an update to the diminutive streaming device, Cook admitted it's tough to continue to call the set-top box a "hobby" anymore. For years, Apple has famously referred to the Apple TV with that identifier, suggesting that it does not see the product as a major revenue driver in the same fashion as the iPhone or iPad.
Dediu estimates that 28 million Apple TV units are around $3.5 billion, with 28 million units sold since 2007. If the Apple TV is included in total iOS device sales for 2013, Apple shipped about 250 million units running iOS last year.
Cook's announcement comes the same day that Apple has launched a new promotion providing a free $25 iTunes gift card with the purchase of a new Apple TV in the U.S. Given that the device hasn't seen a hardware upgrade since early 2012, it's been taken by some as a sign that a new model could be revealed in the near future.
Bloomberg supported that assertion earlier this month, when the publication claimed that a new Apple TV is set to be introduced in April. Unnamed sources suggested that while Apple may show off a new device, it's not expected to go on sale to the public until later this fall, implying that it could be a significant revision of the current third-generation Apple TV.
Over the last year, Apple has been steadily adding new channels to the Apple TV, offering users new ways to access high-definition content on their television. Despite this, there is still not a formal App Store for the Apple TV -- something a vocal subset of users have been clamoring for since the redesigned, iOS-based set-top streamer became available.
Comments
Nice.
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This shows once again, that the iHaters, Google propagandists, overpaid "analysts", etc. have zero clue how the market works. Keep up the good work Apple.
I got one for my 73 year old mom last year. She loves watching old shows. Not being tech-saavy at all, she was a little taken back by the fancy computer-looking stuff, now she can't get enough of it, especially Netflix, and she has retired her weekly DVD/Blu-Ray purchases at Costco and replaced it with renting on iTunes.
The polish and quality of ATV's interface is the reason GoogleTV could NEVER compete. GoogleTV is only for self-important tech-heads that think their basement-dwelling ideas are perfect for everyone else.
Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook revealed during his company's annual shareholder meeting on Friday ....
Interesting rumor related to shareholder meeting that Oppenheimer may retire (I don't know Forbes's credibility on Apple-related matters): http://onforb.es/1khdUdd
If it turns out to be true, I'd say, it's about time. Apple's needs and complexities have far outgrown him.
(This is a repost -- I thought it was important enough a rumor and therefore OK to post twice).
Who needs GoogleTV if you have a Chromecast (or two). It also works with a lot more devices.
Horace Dediu wrote, "Where Apple TV's $1 billion revenues can be found: (17% of the grey area over last 4 quarters) "
Its still not very significant indeed compare to the overall income. They need to revamp it, if they cant secure TV deals they could still add apps and games to it so it add value and fonctionnality.
Since there were at a shareholder meeting and if they plan to announced a new model soon he could have giving the invites now. Sometimes it really looks like Tim Cook is going out is way to bring down the stock.
For the event and since its a friday, I sold everthing and did a straddle in the weekly options. I just covered and saved. I need to get back in before the market close. I will never hold into events or earnings anymore and ride the rise pre-earning or pre-event.
Horace Dediu wrote, "Where Apple TV's $1 billion revenues can be found: (17% of the grey area over last 4 quarters) "
Its still not very significant indeed compare to the overall income. They need to revamp it, if they cant secure TV deals they could still add apps and games to it so it add value and fonctionnality.
Since there were at a shareholder meeting and if they plan to announced a new model soon he could have giving the invites now. Sometimes it really looks like Tim Cook is going out is way to bring down the stock.
You have an interesting take on AppleTV right after someone tells you that sales grew by 80% and revenue was $1B. Now you want tell to Cook how to do his job and that the AppleTV needs to be revamped? From a business point of view, your comment seems a bit counter intuitive, don't you think? What kind of sales growth of AppleTV is enough to satisfy you?
1) In and of itself it's significant money for most of their competitors. You know, the ones that can't turn a profit but Wall Street says is poised to overtake Apple with the latest vaporware.
2)Tim is doing nothing that Jobs hadn't done before him. They send out the invites and make the announcement the week before and they usually don't demo it until ready. There are some exceptions and I wish Cook had held off on the 2012 iMac and 2013 Mac Pro even longer because they don't seem like they were yet production ready, but Jobs also had those types of issues under his belt from time to time. The last thing I want Apple to do is announce a new product months in advance. That's not the Apple I appreciate.
But...but... Google had it's AppleTV "killer". Google even had Kevin Bacon hawking it's stuff (yeah, thru Logitech but so what).
This shows once again, that the iHaters, Google propagandists, overpaid "analysts", etc. have zero clue how the market works. Keep up the good work Apple.
I got one for my 73 year old mom last year. She loves watching old shows. Not being tech-saavy at all, she was a little taken back by the fancy computer-looking stuff, now she can't get enough of it, especially Netflix, and she has retired her weekly DVD/Blu-Ray purchases at Costco and replaced it with renting on iTunes.
The polish and quality of ATV's interface is the reason GoogleTV could NEVER compete. GoogleTV is only for self-important tech-heads that think their basement-dwelling ideas are perfect for everyone else.
Who needs GoogleTV if you have a Chromecast (or two). It also works with a lot more devices.
??? What kind of devices did GoogleTV need to work with?
What I like best about AppleTV. The ability to go to the market and buy a gift card and rent movies without a credit card. The one thing I don't like about AppleTV is you have to have a cable subscription in order to use many of their icons. I use an antenna.
I think you mean broadband connection. I get my TV over antenna also and don't have cable. DSL for my AppleTV.
You have an interesting take on AppleTV right after someone tells you that sales grew by 80% and revenue was $1B. Now you want tell to Cook how to do his job and that the AppleTV needs to be revamped? From a business point of view, your comment seems a bit counter intuitive, don't you think? What kind of sales growth of AppleTV is enough to satisfy you?
its not just a question of sales growth, I DO want those features to actually used them...
An app store will spark innovation by devs in ways Apple could not have think of or seen coming. It will enhanced the product.
Would GoogleTV offer content initiated from your Apple device? Maybe it did. Dunno.
I have 1 2nd Gen…and 2 3rd Gen Rev A….In need of one more. I will wait for the next iteration. Love my Apple TV's
What I like best about AppleTV. The ability to go to the market and buy a gift card and rent movies without a credit card. The one thing I don't like about AppleTV is you have to have a cable subscription in order to use many of their icons. I use an antenna.
Its even better if you buy youre gift cards on sales or with airmiles
This is what a do.
Over the last year, Apple has been steadily adding new channels to the Apple TV, offering users new ways to access high-definition content on their television.
Apple's battle to break into and disrupt the television industry is a long-term war of attrition.
There are plenty of deeply entrenched old-school players (cable / satellite / over-the-air networks, etc.)
Each and every one of whom will fight tooth-and-nail against internet TV unless they get paid somehow.
Example 1: the NBC Olympics app required users to enter their cable or satellite account info before playing video.
Example 2: the Xbox One requires a cable connection. No live TV on it without a cable / satellite subscription.
Example 3: CBS, Hulu, Viacom, and others all blocked Google TV access to their content.
Ad nauseam. The old-school players have worked long and hard on lock-in. It'll be a long war.
(So don't hold your breath for an Apple-branded TV set any time soon, Gene.)
... there is still not a formal App Store for the Apple TV -- something a vocal subset of users have been clamoring for since the redesigned, iOS-based set-top streamer became available.
But if you want to use some of AppleTV icons they demand you have cable TV in addition to your Internet connection.