New study shows that the more connected your are to the internet then the more you are likely to to watch primetime television.
In another testament to the fact that people who use the interent to either stream or download TV programming, are usually the ones most involved in a given show.
A poll taken a while back by CBS Research showed that over half of the people who streamed CBS shows over the internet had never seen the shows before on TV. These people usually then go on to become big fans of the show. Watching an episode online is perceived as a way of “time-shifting” ones sampling of a TV series.
CBS Research revealed a new study yesterday that adds additional data to those findings.
The study revealed that as people become more connected to “digital media,” the more “engaged” they become with primetime TV.
“This data clearly show a correlation between connectivity and primetime television viewing,” said David Poltrack, Chief Research Officer for CBS Corporation and President of CBS Vision, in a press release.
He furthers:
Consumers who embrace the new media are the heaviest viewers of the top network primetime programs, and this sector of the audience is growing. By offering them new ways to connect to their favorite shows — whether it’s websites, podcasts, ringtones or other mobile features — we’ve been able to deepen the bond these fully connected viewers have with our programming. The research also illustrates that as viewers learn about the 2009 deadline for digital transmissions their attitudes towards investing in technology, like advanced home entertainment centers, to watch their favorite shows, changes radically. These findings really demonstrate the potential the broadcast networks have to further engage the public with our content as new technology expands our distribution options.
I couldn’t agree with him more.
There are a ton of different TV shows out there that I never would’ve seen if it hadn’t been for sites like TV Links that allow you to stream a TV series of your choice on-demand.
The NBC series “Heroes” is a recent example but, it has also turned me on to BBC’s “Torchwood,” Showtime’s “Dexter,” and CBS’s “How I Met Your Mother.”
I don’t think I would have wanted to take the time and effort to find them with my DVR cable box on my own. Through word of mouth and easy to use TV Links, I was introduced to TV programming I wouldn’t have seen otherwise.
This “introduction” to new shows on my part can only be a good thing for the TV networks. As people are bombarded by more and more entertainment options like gaming consoles, music, sports, etc., etc., the TV networks are increasingly forced to compete for scarce precious loyal viewers.
If allowing users to stream or download a show legally from a a TV network’s site is what it takes to get or maintain viewers like myself, then that’s what the price of loyalty is these days. It is, after all, the year 2007.
According to further results of the study, 56% said that they were aware that you could stream TV shows over the internet.
Of those that were aware, 46% had done so at least once.
Of the 54% that were not aware that you could stream TV shows over the internet, 62% of them said that they would be willing to watch at least 1 of the 33 programs that are currently available from legal network sources.
“It is clear that the potential for network program distribution over the internet is just beginning to be tapped,” the study notes.
It continues:
The population is gradually moving up to higher levels of connectivity, This “fully connected” segment of the population, the segment with both a broadband internet and a digital television connection at home, has grown from 22% in the fall of 2005 to over 30% this fall. The “fully connected” segment of the population is the segment that is most likely to watch the top broadcast network programs. In addition, this segment visits network television web sites and is increasingly likely to stream clips of and full episodes of network television programs on the internet. Members of this upscale, better-educated “fully connected” segment are today the most engaged with the popular network programs.
Again, I’d have to agree. It seems as though only those that I’ve talked to in online forums and chat rooms are the ones who have ever even heard of shows like “Dexter” or “Battlestar Galactica,” (my personal favorite BTW) for instance. It is we who are the ones that regularly watch each episode, or in many cases, take the time to discuss and dissect them.
Now certainly the study was meant to reflect “legal” streaming and download options but, the point is still the same. People who are better connected to the interent, i.e. broadband, are more likely to watch TV programming than their less-connected counterparts.
I’m sure quality and ability to even stream content has a lot to do with it (cough, AOL) but, the point that one does with broadband is true nonetheless.
RELATED NEWS AND “HOW TO” GUIDES:
TIOTI – Tape It Off The Internet takes BitTorrent TV viewing 2.0
TV Links – Watch The Simpsons, The Office, Jackass, South Park, Lost, X-Men, and More On-Demand For Free
TVU, Free P2P Cable TV
Watch TV for free with “Pick and Watch”
Is 2007 the year the CD died?
BitTorrent torrent sites & search engines
Azureus – A Beginner’s Guide to BitTorrent Downloading
Tons of Your Favorite Movies On-Demand for FREE!
vNES: play Nintendo games in your internet browser
SOULXTC: “walkin’ the streets of P2P”
Related Posts
- Australia’s Network TEN offers “Supernatural” episodes for free download
- STUDY: People Still Prefer TV Set Over Online Viewing
- Internet Movie and TV Laws Are Nonsense
- NEW STUDY: 53% of Aussies regularly download TV shows from the internet?
- VIDEO: NBC Wants the FCC to Regulate P2P
Loading ...
Nope. since I’ve been involved with the internet I actually watch almost no TV at all.
I agree but I do find myself being more loyal to specific programs than I would be otherwise…..I think I watch like 10 shows regularly which there is no way in heck I would if had to watch ordinary TV……I think thats more of the point loyalty to programs.