Google, Roku stand to rake in holiday streaming stick sales

Thanks to their lower price point, sales of streaming sticks by Google and Roku as gifts could take a bigger chunk of sales than other streaming devices, the research firm says in its latest report, "2014 Holiday Purchase Intentions." So far in 2014, 25 percent of dedicated streaming media devices sold were intended as gifts, and 20 percent of gaming consoles have been gifts as well. Those numbers are likely to go higher as Christmas season sales ramp up. [...] Streaming sticks have more going for them than just their price. A majority of younger Americans prefer streaming VOD rather than linear TV, although many enjoy the lean-back experience of a television, according to Glenn Hower, research analyst at Parks Associates Research. "The experience of watching on the big screen is still a key part of the video-viewing event, and purchasing a streaming device is simply an easier process than the research and price comparison involved with flat-panel TV purchases," he said. - Samantha Bookman,FierceOnlineVideo [via/web:http://streaming-tv.us]