Downloading TV and Watching Video Online Biggest Gainers in 2008
According to new research from Mediamark Research & Intelligence, (MRI), the biggest year over year growth gainers among adult Internet users in 2008 in terms of media interaction were downloading TV shows, watching online videos and making online phone calls.
MRI surveyed the American consumer and found that 3.2% of adults had downloaded a TV program in the last 30 days for a 141% increase since the year before. Despite the fact that access to TV programs have become increasingly easier, this is still considered a tremendous jump year to year. The number of adults who watched online video also continued to trend up increasing by 35%. 4% of adults said they had made an online phone call which represents a 32% increase.
Email, News Gathering and Paying Bills Online continue to the most commonly engaged activity online.
• Use of e-mail (74%)
• Obtaining news (46%)
• Paying bills online (40%)
| Internet Activities in Previous 30 Days (U.S. Adults with Access to the Internet) | ||
| % All Adults Fall 2008 | % Change From Fall 2007 | |
| Used E-mail |
74.2% |
+5.2% |
| Obtained the Latest News/Current Events |
46.0 |
+9.8 |
| Paid Bills Online |
39.6 |
+15.3 |
| Made a Purchase for Personal Use |
37.2 |
+7.8 |
| Used Instant Messenger |
29.7 |
+23.6 |
| Obtained Financial Information |
28.3 |
+9.6 |
| Obtained Sports News/Information |
28.1 |
+10.6 |
| Shared Photos Through Internet Website |
25.4 |
N/A |
| Looked for Recipes |
24.8 |
+24.8 |
| Played Games Online |
24.6 |
+8.0 |
| Watched Online Video |
23.3 |
+35.4 |
| Downloaded Music |
21.6 |
+9.6 |
| Made Personal or Business Travel Plans |
20.5 |
+3.6 |
| Obtained Medical Information |
19.9 |
+4.3 |
| Looked up Movie Listings or Show Times |
19.7 |
+16.8 |
| Visited a TV network’s or TV show’s website |
18.7 |
+15.4 |
| Looked for Employment |
15.3 |
+23.6 |
| Tracked Investments/Traded Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds |
13.2 |
+14.7 |
| Listened to Radio on the Internet |
13.1 |
+10.4 |
| Obtained Information about Real Estate |
12.9 |
+5.4 |
| Made a Purchase for Business Use |
11.4 |
+3.4 |
| Visited Online Blogs |
11.0 |
+17.9 |
| Obtained Information for a New Car Purchase |
10.6 |
No change |
| Sent an Electronic Greeting Card |
9.0 |
N/A |
| Looked at TV Listing Online |
7.7 |
+5.9 |
| Obtained Childcare or Parenting Information |
5.3 |
+12.7 |
| Watched A Live TV Program |
5.3 |
N/A |
| Wrote an Online Blog |
4.3 |
+16.3 |
| Uploaded or Added Video to a Website |
4.1 |
N/A |
| Made a Phone Call Online |
4.0 |
+32.0 |
| Downloaded a Podcast |
3.8 |
+22.1 |
| Downloaded a TV Program |
3.2 |
+141.4 |
| Source: MRI’s Fall 2008 and Fall 2007 Survey of the American Consumer | ||