Microsoft: Internet to overtake TV as most consumed form of media
The internet will overtake traditional TV as the most consumed form of media for the first time in June 2010 if current growth trends continue.
According to a new report from Microsoft, internet consumption in 2010 will average 14.2 hours per week, or over 2.5 days a month, compared to 11.5 hours a week, or 2 days a month, for TV.
For some segments of the market, such as the 18-24 year old segment, the PC is often the only television screen; for others, it can be a second or third screen, said Microsoft.
To this generation, TV frequently means video, delivered on demand. In fact, one in seven 18-24 year-olds now watch no live TV at all. 42% of young adults regularly watch TV through a PC, it added.
The report outlines that over the next five years time we should see the PC move from being almost the sole provider of the internet (95%) to representing just 50% of internet usage as other web enabled or connected devices grow in popularity – such as TV, mobile phones and games consoles.
John Mangelaars, vice president, Microsoft, consumer and online, EMEA, said: “The three screens – TV, mobile and PC will remain the most important media and technology in our lives. While today the experience is fragmented across multiple media devices and environments – from the living room television to the bedroom PC to the portable music player and mobile phone – in future, software from Microsoft and others will enable connected, integrated entertainment experiences.
Almost 50% (48.5%) of Europeans now have an internet connection and people spent almost 9 hours per week using the web in 2008, up 27% from 2004 – more time than they spent reading print media, watching movies offline or playing video games, said Microsoft.
In addition, Microsoft highlights in its report how the internet has created a social media revolution – not just with the rise of social networks but with the socialization of online media. Research shows that content on online news sites now includes a mix of user-generated photos (58%), home videos (18%) and independent articles (15%).