UK Online TV Viewing Habits Plateau

According to recent figures the growth of UK Online TV viewing is beginning to slow.
The broadcasting industry's audience measurement body, Barb revealed that almost 15% of respondents to Barb's biannual study, which tracked viewing habits over a week in November 2011, said they watched TV on a PC, laptop or tablet computer during that period – a rise of only 0.5% compared to November 2010.
The study of about 4,000 viewers saw online watching rise from 11.2% in November 2009 to 14.4% the following year.
But Barb said the "plateau" in online viewing could be attributed to the rise in digital set-top boxes and the boom in popularity of catch-up services on internet connected TVs, such as Sky+ and Virgin TV On Demand.
Analysts believe new devices that make it easier to watch Internet video on the television will accelerate the shift.
For example Microsoft has announced a major update to its Xbox 360 which will see the games console morph into a general entertainment hub. The free update to the Xbox 360 games console will bring new catch-up TV services and integrated voice control to around 35 million users.
Meanwhile UK users will gain access to LOVEFiLM, 4oD, Demand 5, VEVO, YouTube, MSN, MUZU.TV and Sony’s movie and TV video on demand service Crackle.
It is understood that over 40 TV providers will be involved and the BBC is expected to announce their iPlayer integration early in 2012. And of the five of UK terrestrial channels only ITV has not yet signed up.
This Microsoft upgrade will pit the Xbox 360 directly against Apple TV which offers access to pay per view movies and internet video services.
The UK’s 'catch up' does not stop here however. Film fans in the UK will also be spoiled for choice in 2012 as a range of new digital movie portals launch.
(LB/GK)