Four companies control the global market, accounting for more than 8 out of every 10 media streamer sold in 2015. The companies are Amazon, Apple, Google and Roku. Google's Chromecast led the market in 2015.

Chromecast led in 2015
Google’s cheap Chromecast topped the global sales charts for media streamers in 2015, according to Strategy Analytics.

- “Google’s puck sized Chromecast dongle continues to have broad appeal with consumers who favour its mobile-centric approach to content access and control. The device’s portability and low price at just $35 has made it an impulse purchase for many and household ownership of multiple Chromecasts is not uncommon. However, the mobile device is not necessarily the center of the universe for everyone and devices such as Apple TV, Roku and the Amazon Fire TV continue to prove popular with those looking for a more traditional remote-based and UI driven TV experience”, said David Watkins, Service Director at Strategy Analytics.


In the past, Apple TV was the best-selling box and if you count total sales Apple TV is still leading, the analyst firm notes. A total of 37 million Apple TV boxes have been sold to date, according to Strategy Analytics. Google has sold a total of 27 million Chromecasts, Roku 20 million, and Amazon less than 10 million.

Sales of Android TV based boxes such as Nvidia Shield and Nexus Player were not high enough to be included as a separate category.

If Smart TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles are included, more than 220 million units were sold in 2015; 84 million units in Q4 2015 alone. Smart TV made up 54% of the total market.

New media streamers in 2015
Even though the market grew 32% in 2015 it is still young. In 2014 and 2015, manufacturers introduced for the first time full-fledged TV operating systems.

In late 2015, Amazon launched the new 4K Fire TV , Google launched Chromecast 2, Roku launched its first 4K player and Apple launched a new Apple TV with tvOS.

- Source: Strategy Analytics