Netflix Sees Boost in TV Usage

NEW YORK: The number of Netflix subscribers streaming movies has dipped so far this year, while customers using the service for TV or TV-like programming is on the rise, according to Nielsen.

Netflix recently announced that its members streamed more than 2 billion hours of videos in Q4 2011. A new Nielsen survey helps shed light on what all those customers have been watching. The survey shows that 19 percent of respondents prefer to use Netflix for TV or TV-like content, an increase of 8 percent compared to 2011. Subscribers mainly streaming movies fell from 53 percent in 2011 to 47 percent in the recent survey. Users who report that they prefer to watch both movies and TV shows equally remained relatively flat, at 36 percent in 2011 and 35 percent in 2012.

This increase in Netflix’s TV usage perhaps coincides with its foray into original productions. The company started its efforts with Lilyhammer, and has the upcoming Orange is the New Black, which is from Weeds showrunner Jenji Kohan. Netflix is also planning to revive the sitcom Arrested Development to air as an original.