YouView: catch-up TV now accounts for a fifth of UK TV viewing

The use of catch-up or on demand television services now accounts for a fifth of the nation’s TV viewing, according to the first YouView census into national television habits for 2013.

The research, which was carried out by YouGov, surveyed more than 2,000 people to find that in a typical week, the average Brit claims to record just under nine hours of TV and spends around six hours watching programmes on demand.

Among 18-24 year olds, this rises to nine hours and 20 minutes of on demand viewing – just under a third of the group’s weekly TV consumption.

The results were similar for under 16s, whose parents were questioned as part of the survey and estimated that their children watch on average seven hours of catch-up per week.

Alongside these figures, the study identified key changes and trends in the habits of television viewers in terms of available technology.

While 77% of those questioned still use their main TV the most, the study found that an average home now has four different devices on which they can watch TV, which is just over double the number they had five years ago. This rises to an average of six devices for 18-24 year olds.

Though time-shifted viewing averages at 10 programmes per household per week, the study found that approximately four of those are deleted without being watched.

“Television is a huge part of British life but we know the way people view it is changing beyond all recognition,” said Steve Conway, Head of Marketing, YouView. “What is becoming important to TV fans is being able to watch what they want, whenever they want it and this research supports that.

“Among 18-24 year olds, 37% said the ability to watch on demand TV was very important compared to a quarter nationally and as a nation we are craving more and more time with our favourite programmes, on our own terms.”

The research also found that across the country, alongside the main TV set, 57% use their computer to watch television content, 25% a tablet and 14% a games console.

Spending on subscription TV services has increased by around 40% in five years, with the average household monthly payment now £29.89. 23% spend more than £50 per month. TV-related downloads account for £1.56 per month from iTunes or the Google Play Store, with men spending an average of £2.03, compared with £1.13 for women.