As predicted, iTunes passed Realplayer in unique users near mid-2007. The higher growth rate of iTunes propelled it past RealPlayer for the first time in April of 2007. Among the four major streaming media players, only iTunes had a positive growth rate over the past year. Among active Internet users in the US, broadband increased to 86.8% in December 2007.
iTunes Passes RealPlayer in Unique Users
Apple’s iTunes player passed RealPlayer in unique users in 2007 (see Figure 1). iTunes is the only player to show a positive growth rate over the past year, growing by 26.8% from Dec. 2006 to Dec. 2007 (see Table 1). QuickTime usage fell 8.6%, RealPlayer fell 17.5%, and Windows Media Player was essentially flat over the past year. Note that the growth trend lines show a more accurate picture without the monthly fluctuations. Both QuickTime and RealPlayer were essentially flat, while Windows Media Player grew slightly. Only iTunes showed a significant positive growth rate.
Figure 1: Streaming Media Player Growth
Source: Nielsen Online
| Month | iTunes | Apple QuickTime | RealPlayer | Windows Media Player |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec-03 | 669 | 13,627 | 28,652 | 49,023 |
| Dec-04 | 4,735 | 12,720 | 28,808 | 60,292 |
| Dec-05 | 17,905 | 13,638 | 30,313 | 72,409 |
| Dec-06 | 28,134 | 13,987 | 33,408 | 75,923 |
| Dec-07 | 35,664 | 12,787 | 27,565 | 75,865 |
Home Connectivity in the US
US broadband penetration grew to 86.79% among active Internet users in December 2007. Narrowband users connecting at 56Kbps or less now make up 13.21% of active Internet users, down 0.50 percentage points from 13.71% in November 2007 (see Figure 2).
Figure 2: Web Connection Speed Trends – Home Users (US)
Source: Nielsen Online
Broadband Growth Trends in the US
In December 2007, broadband penetration in US homes grew 0.5 percentage points to 86.79% up from 86.29% in November. This increase of 0.5 points is below the average increase in broadband of 0.68 points per month over the last six months (see Figure 3). At current growth rates, broadband penetration among active Internet users will break 90 percent by May 2008.
Figure 3. Broadband Adoption Growth Trend – Home Users (US)
Extrapolated from Nielsen Online data
Work Connectivity
As of December 2007, 94.99% of US workers connected to the Internet with broadband, up 0.16 percentage points from the 94.83% share in November. At work 5.01% connect at 56Kbps or less (see Figure 4).
Figure 4: Web Connection Speed Trends – Work Users (US)
Source: Nielsen Online
Further Reading
- iTunes Popularity to Surpass RealPlayer
- Unique iTunes users will exceed RealPlayer users by the first half of 2007, according to projections by Website Optimization. European broadband penetration growth is slowing as the US approaches 80% penetration among active Internet users.
- Nielsen Online
- Provided the US broadband penetration data for active Internet users for the Bandwidth Report.