Robert Taussig has watched more films than most people have eaten hot dinners. “You can’t own an immersive home cinema experience company for almost 50 years and not test the kit out on a regular basis.” laughs Robert.
When the entrepreneur began his London-based home cinema business of the same name back in 1975, the world was a very different place. In the 70s, you had limited choices; you could watch one of three terrestrial TV channels or head to the cinema.
It was those early trips to the cinema that inspired Robert to recreate a bespoke cinematic look and sound for his customers so that they could enjoy a similar experience in the comfort of their own homes. These days, Robert isn’t alone when it comes to opting for a night in to enjoy the latest blockbuster.
Latest data from experts at Statista shows a whopping half of all UK households will feature smart home entertainment systems by 2027.
“Smart home entertainment systems have been riding the crest of a wave for a while now. In 2023, the number of smart homes in the United Kingdom is poised to increase from 4.4 million in 2022 to 5.7 million. Still, the statistics don’t tell the real story,” says Robert, “Thirty years ago, household entertainment systems were expensive, and you had to be reasonably wealthy to afford them. They were luxury items – primarily audio-based – now they’re a must-have. After all, a good night in is much cheaper than a good night out – which makes it worth spending a bit more money to create that atmospheric feel of the cinema at home.”
The latest Market Insights from Statista encompassed multi-room music devices, entertainment-specific remote controls, and streaming devices as part of its review. The statistics show a phenomenal rise in recent times.
According to the data, smart home adoption in the UK stood at just 1.3 million in 2017, constituting a 4.5% market penetration. By 2027, this figure is set to soar to 15.1 million smart homes, achieving an impressive 50.2% market presence.
And as smart home adoption rises, so will the demand for even more impressive home entertainment systems.
Robert adds, “This is a golden age for home cinema, and the statistics indicate it’s not going to slow down anytime soon.”
Even today, the UK smart home entertainment market holds a significant position in the global market. The UK sector is expected to generate £814 million in annual revenue this year, ranking it just behind the United States and China, the two largest markets in the world.
“I’m expecting the annual revenue for smart home entertainment to go stratospheric in the next few years. Global gaming revenue shows no signs of slowing, which makes a home entertainment system a brilliant choice for younger people to immerse themselves in. The rise of VR and Meta will undoubtedly have a positive impact. Add to that more and more competitive streaming services for the whole family to enjoy and the continued blurring of the lines between traditional box office films and box office series being offered by Disney, and it’s a great time to be involved in the sector.”
So, after almost five decades helping people find the right home entertainment system for their homes, what’s Robert’s favorite film choice?
“There’s so many great films, that’s an impossible question,” says Robert, “Plus, I’m old school. If I want to immerse myself, I can’t think of a better way than turning the lights down low, leaning back in my armchair and listening to some Bob Dylan or Mozart.”
