Apple TV to break 1m sales mark before Christmas

Apple has announced that sales of the new Apple TV are expected to cross the one million mark later this week. The $99 box began shipping in late September, having gone up for sale on September 1 2010. Meanwhile, iTunes users are supposedly renting/purchasing over 400,000 TV episodes per day, and over 150,000 movies.

Analysts had previously predicted sales of the Apple TV would likely break the 1m mark each quarter, which now seems to have been a reasonably accurate expectation. A recent update added AirPlay support in iOS 4.2, while Apple also offers a free remote control app for iOS devices such as the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad.

Press Release:

New Apple TV Sales to Top One Million This Week

CUPERTINO, California—December 21, 2010—Apple® today announced that it expects sales of its new Apple TV® to top one million units later this week. The new Apple TV offers the simplest way to watch your favorite HD movies and TV shows, stream content from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe℠, all on your HD TV for the breakthrough price of just $99. iTunes® users are now renting and purchasing over 400,000 TV episodes and over 150,000 movies per day.

Now with AirPlay®, recently available in iOS 4.2, users can wirelessly stream their music, video and photos from iPad™, iPhone® and iPod touch® to their new Apple TV, making it the perfect iOS accessory. Users can also control Apple TV with their iPad, iPhone or iPod touch using the Remote app, available as a free app on the App Store℠.