RSSSurveys: Many people are now watching TV online
by Jacqueline Emigh
As much as 20 percent of all TV viewing in the US now happens online, says a survey released this week by Integrated Media Measurement Inc. (IMMI), supporting other recent research which also indicates that the Internet is fast turning into the top choice for many.
For the first time this year, a significant part of the online audience for primetime TV episodes is not watching some portion of the show on TV, according to IMMI's new survey results. Recent launches of sites like Hulu, offering full episodes of programs, is surely bolstering the trend.
About 29 percent of "traditional live TV viewers" use a DVR frequently, in contrast to just 22 percent of online TV viewers.
Around 50 percent of all online viewing was characterized by IMMI's respondents as "TV replacement," whereas 31 percent of the time, it was described as "catch-up viewing," and 18 percent of the time as "fill-in viewing."
Online TV as a "TV replacement" is certainly nothing new. As previously reported in BetaNews, in a study conducted by Burst during the recent Hollywood writer's strike, almost half of those surveyed were spending more time than usual online, in order to avoid repeat programming on TV.
Although that particular study didn't ask the TV defectors how they spent their time online, it's probably a good bet that a lot of them were viewing videos.
Europe seems to be much further ahead of the US in watching TV online, according to a survey by Motorola. Even back in mid-2007, when that survey was published, 45 percent of respondents across the UK, France, Spain, Germany, and Italy claimed to be watching at least some TV online, with France taking the lead at 59 percent.
Given the choice, why do some people prefer watching TV online? Another recent survey -- this one conducted by Simmons, a unit of Esperian -- showed that viewers are 25 percent "more engaged" when watching TV online.
Released last December, the Simmons study defined "engagement" according to six characteristics that respondents identify with media: "personal time-out," "social interaction," "inspirational," "trustworthy," "life-enhancing," and ad receptivity.
Although that could be, maybe people just find it interesting to get up off the couch, ditch the remote, and flip around between various Web sites - some showing TV programs, and others offering music, downloadable software, social networking, news, gaming, e-mail, search engines, and an endless array of other stuff.
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Well I know technophiles LOVE their HD 1080p TVs.
I got one and I have to say with regular Analog and standard DTV signal, It is a piece of garbage. When you put a Divx program or a FLV stream from hulu.com even at 480p full screen it about the same. But on my old Mitsubishi 46" Hulu, Divx, Youtube and 480p all look great. The only reason to get a HD is if you want a wide screen view. Now thats just my opinion. I have said before I am not a fan of HD content on TV. And that DVDs are more then enough to make an average user very happy.
HD-DVDs and Bluerays are for the Anal among us that absolutely get off on 1080p immersion and detail. Sorry I'll hold out for holographic before I become an early adopter again with anything. I just want to watch my TV shows. When they come out on DVD thats when I care about quality.
Hulu on old tubes of all sizes looks fantastic. Just connect up your laptop and go full screen and its perfect IMHO. I did hook it up to a projector at my college back when it was still in beta, and we watch a few things in the auditoriums. It was like watching a movie in a theater. I'm telling you all that was missing was the popcorn. Fantastic. Illegal. yea. cause its not suppose to be in a classroom. lol But still thats was an example of the tech I personally would build a special room to be able to enjoy just that in my home.
Now then as to the point of the story. Take a look at whats ON... If you want something good to watch, your sure going to watch it when you want too and not when the networks decide to put it on, because look at it. the picking for decent programing is so slim, its better to go play a game or go outside or something then have to dredge though what passes for entertainment television in primetime. Why do you think more people buy Classic TV shows now then EVER before, Other then availability? Its cause there is so little of quality to watch.
I use a DVR for most of it from Cable system. Send that file to my PC for archiving as a AVI.
I purchase DVDs for my series and movies. and all the rest comes from streaming services like hulu.com. If I could pay them a small fee like Netflix does for their stuff online to get rid of the commercials and be allowed to record it I would in a heart beat. The Hulu.com service is fantastic. And best of all, its still free the way it is with commercials. Full screen.
As to the %. Yea maybe a little high since there is not a good stand alone Streaming console yet for a tv set top. But its coming as I understand it. And that my friends will change EVERYTHING. Right now its the small % of us that know enough about networks and wiring to set it up ourselves to do it. Once it becomes simple to do. Yea it will get a bit higher then 20% then IMHO.
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I suspect that 20% number is a little high. Did they ask these people if it was Youtube rips of shows they were seeing?
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I guarantee none of these people have a decent TV. Watching shows on a PC is low rent.
Go ask a guy with a 65" HDTV and digital cable or satellite with a premium package how many shows they watch on thier PC.
Do they show live football in HD on Hulu? No. "Lets have the guys over for poker, Chicago style brats and MNF, we can crowd around my 17" monitor but we have to watch last weeks re-broadcast as I'm too cheap to actually pay for live TV".
"I got rid of television five years ago, and haven't missed it one bit, but I watch some new TV programs from the network sites"
So, your television is sitting in a closet somewhere?
It sounds like you have missed it as you're still watching TV programs. They do have this thing called an antenna and digital TV is free.
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I beg to differ. Hulu is, in most cases, better than standard cable (which I just got rid of 2 months ago). A large majority of newer and current shows are offered in 480p resolution, which is better than what I had before with my standard analog cable service.
Of course HD cable channels will be better, but there is a proof-of-concept HD Gallery on Hulu showing that they too can offer High-definition programming. I just can't wait until they start offering actual shows and movies in HD.
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Very classy response wincement. You didn't even mention what an opinionated egotistic jagoff I am.
Comcast, as does most cable, sucks a fat ass.
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I would rather ask how pathetic someones life must be if they are actually paying that much to watch television....
My pc is hooked up to a large flat panel tv and I can lay on the couch and flip through anything I want with my MCE Remote, Including a cable signal if I choose to do so (this rarely happens and I only have it for the triple play package). GB-PVR has completely replaced the need for a cable box and i'm not really worried about seeing football players slap each others asses in better quality.
TV is trash, whether on an analog tv, an hd tv, a pc or a damn media center. Its not worth paying for so I applaud Hulu and other sites and I like many other people will enjoy what content we do want to see while you pay a $180 cable bill to try to repair the pieces missing in your life. Most people watch TV because they are bored...why pay for it these days?
Did you actually compare digital tv to the internet....hahah
Sounds like this guy works for Rupert Murdock or something...
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I also watch some Hulu. I use it on the laptop where I don't have a tv or stereo. I have used to to introduce my 8 year old daughter to classic shows and she has really enjoyed seeing them and loves them. As for Hulu taking over all my tv viewing habit Not in the near future, however sites such as Hulu do ad a lot to the mix and give one more choices for content and where one can view it. Please see my blog for more thoughts on the television and media industries.
kennethlawson.blogspot.com/
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Until this:
"I feel that viewers should be able to download and watch any television episodes that broadcast over the free public airways."
and this:
"anyone who is paying for a cable / satellite channel should again be legally allowed to download and watch any episodes that broacast as a part of the package"
..comes to pass with good quality, whatever- format-you-want downloads without bundled players and other crap, then I have no sympathy for this being disregarded:
"However, I can fully understand why broacasters would object to the recording of any shows not being paid for by the consumer."
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I feel that viewers should be able to download and watch any television episodes that broadcast over the free public airways. In the USA, some of those channels would be ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, CW, PBS, etc. If they are legally allowed to watch and record those shows on their VCR or DVD-R, then I see no reason why any of the networks should object.
Taking that further, I also feel that anyone who is paying for a cable / satellite channel should again be legally allowed to download and watch any episodes that broacast as a part of the package they are paying for, the same way they can legally record those shows on a VCR and DVD-R.
However, I can fully understand why broacasters would object to the recording of any shows not being paid for by the consumer. For instance, if the customer does not pay for HBO or Showtime as part of their cable or satellite package, they should not be able to download those episodes for viewing on their PC or any other device.
So, in summary, if a show is broadcast over the free airwaves or is part of a package of channels that the consumer is already paying for, they should have every right to download and watch those episodes offline.
I don't understand how any of the broacast channels can legitimately claim otherwise.
If you can legally record it at home, then you should be able to legally download and watch it too.
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i used to watch tv on the net till the man took tvlinks down. all the other sites are not the same
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I'm one of them. I just moved, and I did not move my cable service with me. I'm 100% hulu now. I save $60/month, and I get better quality, on-demand viewing, and less commercials. It was a no-brainer for me. Any show I want to watch is there.
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I got rid of television five years ago, and haven't missed it one bit, but I watch some new TV programs from the network sites, Netflix (if they've been released on DVD), and Hulu and love it. I sacrifice seeing BRAND new episodes for saving the money and not hasling with outrageous amounts of adverts. There are still some ads on the network sites, but usually just one, and I can turn the sound off.
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I really hope hulu is available for Australia soon, TV on demand is the way to go for us busy folk working longer hours.
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I sacrifice seeing BRAND new episodes...
Exactly. I may not get to see the episode right when it airs, but I don't have to wait more than a day for most programs. Some make you wait a week, but I still don't mind that at all.
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