South-Korean company Samsung Electronics announced a significant achievement when Samsung Apps, the world’s first HDTV-based application store, reached 1 million TV application downloads. The milestone was reached in less than a year since its initial launch, and currently has 200 applications.

The global demand for Samsung TV entertainment is exceedingly high, especially in sports, movies and gaming arenas, with Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level, CinemaNow and Texas Holdem as the most downloaded applications.  The company is committed to surpassing consumer demands by providing high-quality Smart TVs equipped with a broad range of interactive content while satisfying individual interest by giving consumers the ability to customize their content.

Samsung conquered 66 percent of the US connected TV market in the first half of 2010 10, says The NDP Group.  Samsung Apps is available on 50 percent of its TV line-up this year while Smart TV units demand is estimated to reach 20 million by 2012 from 6.5 million this year making Samsung a market leader in global LED TV, LCD TV, and plasma TV sales.

“The evolution of television in recent years has been astounding as consumers seek technology that enhances their viewing experience, and their lives,” said Mr. Boo-keun Yoon, President of Samsung’s Visual Display Business. “Integrating the traditional TV experience with applications and features like 3D bridges the gap between simply consuming programming and interacting with it. We are seeing that consumers are embracing these new experiences with their TVs.”

Samsung held several “Free the TV Developer Days” around the world to be able to work closely with the developer community in bringing applications to the Samsung Apps Library. This garnered leaders across the connected TV ecosystem to look into the future of Smart TV. The “Developer Days” have events and competitions such as the “Free the TV Challenge,” an opportunity for developers who wants to have their content distributed via Samsung.

More about the Samsung TV Strategy will be tackled at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, which takes place early next year. It will be a great  opportunity to look collectively at the market, especially as connected devices become more commonplace with entertainment sectors, and trickle down to other devices as well.

Samsung is also doing well with tablet computer sales and things continue to look good for Samsung TV production, as they’ve gotten the “ok” for a new plant in China.