Samsung today announced the 1 millionth TV application downloaded globally from Samsung Apps, the company's HDTV-based application store. Users can purchase and download applications from Samsung's app store directly from their TV. The company's 200th TV application is now live via the platform. Samsung has reached these milestones in less than a year after the initial launch of Samsung Apps.

Some of the most frequently downloaded applications are Hulu Plus, ESPN Next Level and Texas Holdem, according to Samsung.

In the first half of 2010, Samsung took over 66 percent of the US connected TV market, according to research firm The NPD Group. Samsung presents Samsung Apps on more than 50 percent of its 2010 TV line-up and is currently the market leader in global LED TV, LCD TV, and plasma TV sales. In the U.S. alone, Samsung expects the market for Smart TVs to reach 6.5 million units by the end of this year, and anticipates demand will grow to 20 million units by 2012.

Samsung is working closely with the developer community to bring new application to the Samsung Apps library. For example, earlier this year, Samsung held several "Free the TV Developer Days" around the world, which brought together the developer community with leaders across the connected TV ecosystem to discuss and plan for the exciting next era of Smart TV. These "Developer Days" included well-attended events and contests such as the "Free the TV Challenge" (http://www.freethetvchallenge.com/), which are a part of a global effort led by Samsung to open up the TV to developers wanting to distribute their content on the biggest screen in the home and on an easy-to-use platform.

More on Samsung's Smart TV strategy and key news will be discussed at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show, where Mr. Boo-keun Yoon will deliver a keynote address on Thursday, Jan. 6 in the Las Vegas Hilton Center. Finalists for the U.S. Free the TV Challenge will also showcase their applications at the show.