Online Video Streaming on the Rise

NEW YORK: The percentage of Americans streaming full-length TV shows and movies on the Internet has more than doubled in the last six months, according to research from Ipsos MediaCT’s biannual MOTION Study.

In the past 30 days, 26 percent of online Americans streamed a full-length TV episode and 14 percent streamed a full-length movie, more than twice the levels recorded in September (11 percent and 6 percent, respectively). The 18 to 24 demo are the most likely to stream content, with 30 percent streaming a movie and 51 percent a full-length show. The rapid gains have been attributed to sites like Hulu with an ad-supported, free-content model. 

“The digital video revolution is no longer centered on short clips via YouTube; it is becoming an important distribution channel where any type of full-length video can be instantly accessed for immediate consumption without a fee,” said Brian Pickens, the senior research manager at Ipsos MediaCT.

Meanwhile, traditional TV viewing remains high; the average American with Internet access consumes 15 hours of TV per week, versus less than two hours of online content. Among those who do watch content online, 64 percent would rather watch hour-long dramas and half-hour sitcoms on their TV over renting, purchasing or streaming.