Survey Says: Net Surfing Up — TV Watching Down

A recent IBM survey of consumer behavior has revealed that personal time spent on computers surfing the web for video content has increased significantly and is projected to soon surpass time spent watching television.

People also appear to be utilizing mobile content over traditional television to access entertainment options more often, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

The survey shows that on average viewers are now spending about 19% of their time with some type of media device, or about 6 hours a day, while television viewing, over the same 6-hour period, is down to around 8%. The most radical change has occurred in the video department. 67% of those surveyed stated that they prefer watching films and internet offered series programming over viewing the same thing via traditional network and non-premium cable television. While the more traditional forms of TV watching are dropping, television is seeing a revival in the form of premium pay channels, such as HBO and Showtime, but the fastest growth is happening with the On-Demand products offered by cable and satellite companies.

Cell phone viewing of films and other videos is up and the favorite incentive is the opportunity for the consumer-on-the-go to receive their programming in short 15 to 20 minute segments over their mobile device.

However, the biggest spike is taking place over the Net. According to the IBM survey, which tallied 885 responses from markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Germany and Japan — an impressive 67% stated that they prefer to watch their videos online.

When it comes to setting 1 to 4 hours aside to watch, then TV still holds a slight edge over the Net — 66% versus 60%, but even that gap is beginning to shrink. However, all is not lost for the future of television. The survey also showed that with the recent additions of DVR and HD technology, if those devices are added to the mix, then television shows a 33% increase in viewership.