40% of online adults watching TV on a computer

A new ITV survey into changing TV habits saw 40% of respondents claim to watch TV on a computer, laptop or handheld device.

Some 33% of respondents to the GfK survey said they will be staying in and watching more TV this Christmas.

In terms of where people watch TV, the living room came out on top among those who watch on a laptop (67%), with the bedroom favoured by 55% of respondents. Perhaps surprisingly, 3% of respondents claimed to watch TV on their laptop in the toilet.

A large number of respondents (39%) said they watch TV on a laptop while in the same room as they are watching something else on the TV. This is highest amongst men aged 55+ (55%), closely followed by women aged 16-34 (44%).

In addition, 11% of those surveyed admitting to watching TV programmes on a computer at work.

The research was carried out by GfK between 4th – 6th December 2008. In total, 2805 GB adults with internet access were interviewed. The sample was weighted back to reflect the GB online universe.

Last week, ITV revealed that it would be rebranding its online catch-up TV service ITV Player (see ITV rebrands online VoD service as ITV Player).

Dominic Cameron, MD of ITV.com, said: “Watching TV online is well and truly part of the entertainment landscape in the UK. Making our shows accessible on the web is part of our overall ambition to make ITV programmes as widely available for audiences through whichever platform suits them best.

“If we can help stop arguments over what to watch, then maybe we could win the Nobel Peace Prize too.”

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com