Interactive TV Boom
Last updated: 19/10/2006 - 15:46
The UK is a nation of internet and interactive TV lovers, with usage of both on the rise.
Changes
British households are technology lovers according to a survey from the Independent Television Commission. Around 70% of households have two or more television sets.
A fifth of those surveyed had bought or rented a new TV in the last 12 months. It's not just newer items that the British want; we're looking for the most technologically up-to-date products on the market. The number of households with widescreen televisions has doubled from 8% in 1999 to 16% last year alone.
Internet Interest
Our interest in the web has also increased. Access to the internet rose dramatically to 34% in 2000, compared with 24% in 1999.
This rise is due mainly to increased access in the home, and was particularly high amongst AB viewers and those who did not watch much television.
An amazing 24% of us have access to the internet at home, mainly via a PC. Plus a significant number (6%) said they accessed the internet via the television. A half of all respondents thought that interactive services offered 'a valuable service to viewers'.
More TV
Over a half of children and 67% of 10-15-year olds now have a television in their bedroom, but only 2% have internet access in their bedrooms (3% of 10-15-year olds).
Less Video
The survey saw a decline in VCR ownership and usage. Viewing of commercially recorded tapes has also fallen, but there was a small increase in the number of multi-channel subscribers using Pay-Per-View (PPV) television, with films proving more popular than sports. However, 80% of multi-channel viewers said they resented having to pay more to watch certain sports events or films on PPV.
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