Tech industry and consumer research firm Parks Associates have published a new report that explains that on-demand video libraries and custom widgets will drive adoption of “connected television experiences” — that is, Internet TV.

The research firm’s new white paper, “From Boob Tube to YouTube: Consumers and TV“, points to strong interest among U.S. broadband households in getting Internet content via their television. In particular, 33% of U.S. broadband-using households are interested in widgets, and almost 50% are interested in “premium Web content,” including TV shows and movies, through a connected set-top box.

Parks Associates explain that broadband households are “growing accustomed to viewing video off the Internet.” They predict that demand for Web content will grow, and those desires will influence their consumer electronic purchases — and their decisions about choosing TV/internet service providers.

The researchers also found that “consumers respond favorably to enhanced interactive features and are willing to pay – either on the price of a television or as an additional subscription cost – for certain features.” The TV/Internet service providers, and the hardware manufacturers who jump early on this growth in demand will benefit greatly, “creating new value out of the television.”

photo: “new” vista television, massdistraction