Back in the 1980s, the Buggles kicked off the institution that became MTV with their promo clip for “Video Killed The Radio Star.” Quickly after, acts that were aesthetically challenged soon became virtually extinct (think the Steve Miller Band).
The same can’t be said for the Web killing the TV star. If anything, the Internet is helping to expand viewership of television shows, and even making a few new stars along the way, like Nickelodeon’s “Fred,” a.k.a. Lucas Cruikshank, and pop sensation Justin Bieber.
Through sites like Hulu and YouTube, as well as networks that provide Web-centric, online-only content, viewership numbers are not monstrous, but growing.
According to an August 2010 poll carried out by market researcher Parks Associates, it was found that “viewers go online for short fix video viewing, but only watch full length content when watching a normal TV is not an option.”
Younger demographics are also helping to boost online viewing numbers, as they’re more likely to split up the mediums in which they view content.
Close to a fifth (16 per cent) of viewers between 18 and 34 watch most of their television online, according to new research from Morpace. This research also reflects that that only 41 percent of this age group watch live television.
Falling, barely, into the 18-34 demo, I rarely watch live TV anymore due to work, family commitments and, frankly, a narrowing interest in shows currently on the air. However, it is awesome that after the kids are in bed, I can catch up on “The Office” or “The Big Bang Theory” at my leisure.
With all being said, I’m comfortable in predicting that these numbers are going to grow infinitely as we march into the next decade. The reasons?
Improved streaming methods, better monitors for PC users, devices like the iPad and FloTv and time management/distribution by us humans are going to make viewing when on demand more important than ever.