57% of TV viewers in the US who have Internet access use both mediums at the same time at least once a month. That translates to more than 128 mln US consumers. Average TV viewer who uses the Internet simultaneously does that for 2 hours and 40 minutes a month, and that 28% of the time they are on the Web at home, they are also watching television, Nielsen said.
Web-to-TV streaming services to generate $2.9 bln by 2013
Over 40% of young adult US households view Internet video on the TV at least once per month, In-Stat found. Revenue from Web-to-TV streaming services will grow to $2.9 bln in 2013. Within five years, the number of US broadband households viewing Web-to-TV content will grow to 24 mln. Already, 29% of US 25 to 34 year olds with game consoles use the devices to watch streaming video off the Internet. In five years, there will be 7.4 mln US broadband households that use media center PCs for streaming Web-to-TV content.
What TV shows Americans watched online in December 2008
| Program | Network | Unique Viewers (000) |
| Lost | ABC.com | 1,425 |
| Saturday Night Live | NBC.com | 1,111 |
| Grey’s Anatomy | ABC.com | 879 |
| Desperate Housewives | ABC.com | 723 |
| Heroes | NBC.com | 685 |
| Ugly Betty | ABC.com | 631 |
| Samantha Who? | ABC.com | 560 |
| Scrubs | ABC.com | 519 |
| Survivor | CBS Television | 496 |
| True Beauty | ABC.com | 462 |
| Source: Nielsen | ||
Top Entertainment Programs by Time Spent Viewing in December 2008
| Program | Network | Minutes per Viewer | Unique Viewers (000) |
| Privileged | CWTV.com | 214.6 | 29 |
| Chuck | NBC.com | 162.5 | 226 |
| Lipstick Jungle | NBC.com | 153.2 | 152 |
| Gossip Girl | CWTV.com | 40.0 | 165 |
| The Simpsons | FOX Broadcasting | 138.8 | 41 |
| Life | NBC.com | 137.4 | 133 |
| Kitchen Nightmares | FOX Broadcasting | 124.9 | 40 |
| Private Practice | ABC.com | 123.1 | 350 |
| Young and the Restless | CBS Television | 115.6 | 323 |
| The Office | NBC.com | 111.8 | 374 |
| Source: Nielsen | |||
How people are watching TV in Q4 2008
| K2-11 | T12-17 | A18-24 | A25-34 | A35-44 | A45-54 | A55-64 | A65+ | |
| On Traditional TV | 106:37 | 103:48 | 118:28 | 142:29 | 147:21 | 173:00 | 190:40 | 207:29 |
| Watching Timeshifted TV | 5:11 | 4:24 | 5:01 | 10:50 | 9:44 | 8:31 | 7:54 | 3:58 |
| Using the Internet | 5:19 | 11:27 | 13:00 | 28:15 | 38:40 | 37:06 | 33:39 | 26:29 |
| Watching Video on Internet | 1:49 | 2:49 | 5:03 | 4:14 | 3:20 | 2:34 | 1:34 | 1:08 |
| Mobile Subscribers Watching Video on a Mobile Phone | n/a | 6:38 | 2:53 | 3:42 | 3:37 | 2:53 | 2:10 | n/a |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||||||
LCD TV panel sales to grow 20.5% in 2009
The Information Network forecasts array processing equipment to decrease 41% in 2009 following an increase of 30% in 2008. Large-size TFT-LCD panel growth in 2009 will be buoyed by LCD TV and notebook sales. For 2009, 113.3 mln panels will be sold for LCD TVs, up 20.5% from 94.0 mln in 2008. Panels for notebooks will grow slightly faster, up 26.6% to 177.0 mln panels. Panels for monitors will decrease 17.0% in 2009 to 144.9 mln units.
Americans watched 151 hours of television per month in Q4 2008
Americans watched more television than ever in Q4 2008, Nielsen reported. The average American older than 2 years watched television for 151 hours per month. That was up from 146 hours in Q4 2007. More watching of recorded TV explained some of the increase: that was up to 7 hours from 5 hours the year before.
36% of social networking users want access to social networks on TV
Today’s consumers are looking to extend their social networks to the TV, as 36% of those who currently use social media on a regular basis say they’d like to access their networks on the TV screen, ABI Research found.
500 mln mobile TV viewers by 2013
While mobile broadcast TV was pioneered in Japan and South Korea, following the switchover traditional and mobile TV broadcasters and cellular operators in many regions will launch mobile TV services that are forecast to attract over 500 mln viewers by 2013, ABI Research found.
29.8 mln HDTV to sell in 2009, 10% of the plasma screens
2009 is expected to be another record-breaking year for HDTV sales with 29.8 mln HD sets expected to ship, out of a total of 34.5 mln digital televisions sold in the U.S. in 2009. This is up from 26.8 mln HD sets sold in 2008. In addition to key sporting events like the Super Bowl, another factor driving this demand is the drop in the average wholesale price of sets. In the past five years, the average wholesale price for an HDTV has fallen nearly 50% to $849 in 2009. All categories of digital television (DTV) sales are on the rise. CEA projects that more than 34.5 mln DTVs will ship in 2009. The 26.8 mln LCD TVs expected to ship will make up the bulk of these sales. Plasma displays will account for 10% of total sets sold in 2009. Overall digital displays remain the primary revenue driver for the industry with dollar shipments representing 15% of total industry sales in 2009.
17 mln US households have HDTVs, but no HD programming
39 mln US households contain an HDTV, but only 22 mln of those hi-tech homes have signed up for HD programming. On a more positive note, the report said the number of high-definition households with an HDTV and HD programming was up 40% in 2008, In-Stat said.
43% of football fans would visit their in-laws more often if they had HDTV
Americans, football fans or not, agree there is no better place to watch the game than at home when there is a high definition television in place. However, Samsung also found that football fans are willing to take the show on the road, even to the in-laws, if they had the right incentive. 43% of football fans would be more likely to visit their in-laws if they had an HDTV to watch the game. Among this group, men are more likely than women to visit the in-laws if there was an HDTV waiting for them (50% vs. 34%).
Monthly TV time in Q3 2008
| K2-11 | T12-17 | A18-24 | A25-34 | A35-44 | A45-54 | A55-64 | A65+ | |
| On Traditional TV | 108:34 | 110:59 | 108:36 | 133:00 | 134:51 | 159:23 | 175:18 | 196:23 |
| Watching Timeshifted TV | 5:25 | 4:55 | 4:36 | 10:04 | 8:15 | 7:19 | 6:32 | 3:44 |
| Using the Internet | 5:38 | 12:48 | 12:59 | 28:40 | 37:56 | 35:24 | 35:05 | 26:39 |
| Watching Video on Internet | 2:05 | 2:55 | 3:57 | 3:21 | 2:44 | 2:17 | 1:37 | 1:07 |
| Mobile Subscribers Watching Video on a Mobile Phone |
n/a | 4:20 | 3:15 | 4:20 | 3:37 | 2:10 | 2:53 | n/a |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||||||
Top TV programs by audience in 2008
| Rank | Telecasts | Network | Date Aired | % of Homes in U.S. (Rating) |
| 1 | FOX SUPER BOWL XLII | FOX | 02/03/2008 | 43.1 |
| 2 | FOX SUPER BOWL POST GAME | FOX | 02/03/2008 | 30.1 |
| 3 | FOX NFC CHAMPIONSHIP | FOX | 01/20/2008 | 29.0 |
| 4 | SUMMER OLYMPICS TUE PRIME 1 | NBC | 08/12/2008 | 20.0 |
| 5 | FOX NFC PLAYOFF-PST-SUN | FOX | 01/13/2008 | 18.8 |
| 5 | SUMMER OLYMPICS OPEN CEREM | NBC | 08/08/2008 | 18.8 |
| 7 | ACADEMY AWARDS | ABC | 02/24/2008 | 18.7 |
| 8 | SUMMER OLYMPICS SUN PRIME 1 | NBC | 08/10/2008 | 18.1 |
| 9 | AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF | CBS | 01/12/2008 | 17.9 |
| 9 | SUMMER OLYMPICS THU PRIME 1 | NBC | 08/14/2008 | 17.9 |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Top timeshifted primetime TV Programs in 2008
| Rank | Programs | Network | % Increase in Viewership |
|
| 1 | HEROES | NBC | 35% | |
| 2 | FRINGE | FOX | 26% | |
| 3 | LOST | ABC | 25% | |
| 4 | BONES | FOX | 21% | |
| 5 | GREY’S ANATOMY-THU 9PM | ABC | 20% | |
| 6 | HOUSE | FOX | 18% | |
| 7 | SURVIVOR: GABON | CBS | 18% | |
| 8 | AMERICAN IDOL-TUESDAY | FOX | 13% | |
| 9 | MENTALIST, THE | CBS | 13% | |
| 10 | AMERICAN IDOL-WEDNESDAY | FOX | 12% | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Most liked TV commercials in 2008
| Rank | Brand | Ad Description | Likeability Index | |
| 1 | NFL | Ephraim Salaam describes how Chester Pitts became an NFL player (:60) | 216 | |
| 2 | Budweiser | Dalmatian trains Hank the Clydesdale for hitch team (:60) | 208 | |
| 3 | Geico | Gecko on subway train with older man (:30) | 192 | |
| 4 | AMP Energy | Dale Earnhardt Jr. knocks out a gorilla in different places (:30) | 191 | |
| 5 | M&M’s | Pink peanut M&M is attacked by squirrels in park (:15) | 186 | |
| 6 | Bridgestone | Squirrel and other forest animals scream as car approaches (:30) | 185 | |
| 7 | Lowe’s | Jimmie Johnson fixes things, including school bus, using Kobalt tools (:30) | 185 | |
| 8 | Slim Jim | Couple at wedding is attacked by man’s mini evil twin (:15) | 181 | |
| 9 | Bud Light | Bud Light is brewed to give you the ability to breath fire (:30) | 175 | |
| 10 | Macy’s | Celebrities read “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus” (:30) | 170 | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
77% of Americans think media is making economic situation worse
77% of Americans believe that the US media is making the economic situation worse by projecting fear into people’s minds. Here are highlights of note:
- Household Income $25k – $35k – 79% answered YES
- Household Income $35k – $50k – 88% answered YES
- Household Income $50k – $75k – 76% answered YES
- Household Income $75k – more – 78% answered YES
- 85% of young adults (18-24 yrs old) answered YES
- 77% of males and females alike answered YES
- 65% of blacks answered YES
Most effective product placements in 2008
| Rank | Brand | Ad Description | Program (Network) | Index |
| 1 | CVS Pharmacy | Company pays bills and provides supplies to families | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, 3/16 – 11/9/08) | 299 |
| 2 | TRESemme | Company provides prize to winner; sponsor of hair salon | Project Runway (Bravo, 1/2 – 10/20/08) | 256 |
| 3 | El Pollo Loco | Jeff and team eat lunch from fast-food restaurant | Flipping Out (Bravo, 6/24 – 8/12/08) | 254 |
| 4 | Bluefly.com | Winner can sell line through online retailer; sponsor of accessories wall | Project Runway (Bravo, 1/2 – 10/20/08) | 254 |
| 5 | Sears | Retailer provides tools, appliances and supplies for homes | Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC, 1/6 – 11/30/08) | 253 |
| 6 | Glad | Company provides prize to winner; products are used during challenges | Top Chef (Bravo, 3/12 – 11/28/08) | 251 |
| 7 | Whole Foods Market | Contestants shop for ingredients to use in challenges | Top Chef (Bravo, 3/12 – 11/28/08) | 248 |
| 8 | Food & Wine Magazine | Winner will be featured in magazine and showcase food at festival | Top Chef (Bravo, 3/12 – 11/28/08) | 245 |
| 9 | GQ Magazine | Winning model will receive a fashion pictorial in men’s magazine | Make Me a Supermodel (Bravo, 1/10 – 4/3/08) | 244 |
| 10 | Hugo Boss | Patti’s clients shop with style expert at clothing store | The Millionaire Matchmaker (Bravo, 2/12 – 4/7/08) | 241 |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Top time-shifted TV shows
| Rank | Programs | Network | Households, 000 | |
| 1 | American Idol – Tuesday | FOX | 2153 | |
| 2 | American Idol – Wednesday | FOX | 1945 | |
| 3 | Heroes | NBC | 1832 | |
| 4 | Lost | ABC | 1793 | |
| 5 | Fringe | FOX | 1602 | |
| 6 | House | FOX | 1454 | |
| 7 | The Mentalist | CBS | 1445 | |
| 8 | Survivor: Gabon | CBS | 1396 | |
| 9 | Grey’s Anatomy – Thur 9PM | ABC | 1358 | |
| 10 | Bones | FOX | 1331 | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Top TV shows with product placement activity
| Rank | Program | Network | Total # of Occurrences |
|
| 1 | BIGGEST LOSER | NBC | 6248 | |
| 2 | AMERICAN IDOL | FOX | 4636 | |
| 3 | EXTREME MAKEOVER HOME EDITION | ABC | 3371 | |
| 4 | AMERICAS TOUGHEST JOBS | NBC | 2807 | |
| 5 | ONE TREE HILL | CW | 2575 | |
| 6 | DEAL OR NO DEAL | NBC | 2292 | |
| 7 | AMERICAS NEXT TOP MODEL | CW | 2241 | |
| 8 | LAST COMIC STANDING | NBC | 1993 | |
| 9 | KITCHEN NIGHTMARES | FOX | 1853 | |
| 10 | HELLS KITCHEN | FOX | 1807 | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Fastest-growing time-shifted TV shows: Battlestar Galactica, Burn Notice, Heroes
| Rank | Programs | Network | % Increase in Rating | |
| 1 | Battlestar Galactica | SCIFI | 53% | |
| 2 | Burn Notice | USA | 37% | |
| 3 | Heroes | NBC | 35% | |
| 3 | 90210 | CW | 35% | |
| 3 | Sanctuary | SCIFI | 35% | |
| 6 | Eureka | SCIFI | 34% | |
| 7 | My Boys | TBSC | 32% | |
| 8 | Psych | USA | 29% | |
| 9 | In Plain Sight | USA | 28% | |
| 10 | America’s Top Model – 5 | CW | 27% | |
| 10 | Fringe | FOX | 27% | |
| 10 | The Starter Wife | USA | 27% | |
| 10 | The Office | NBC | 27% | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
Cable TV ad spending, Q1-Q3 2008
| Media Category | Growth, YTY | |||
| Cable TV | 8.4% | |||
| Syndication TV | 2.5% | |||
| National Sunday Supplement | 2.4% | |||
| Hispanic Cable TV | 1.1% | |||
| Network TV | 0.9% | |||
| Spot Radio | 0.8% | |||
| Spot TV – Top 100 DMAs | 0.7% | |||
| Spot TV – 101 to 210 DMAs | -0.2% | |||
| Local Magazine | -0.6% | |||
| FSI Coupon | -1.7% | |||
| Hispanic TV | -2.0% | |||
| Outdoor | -2.7% | |||
| Network Radio | -3.5% | |||
| National Magazine | -5.1% | |||
| Internet (display only)* | -5.6% | |||
| National Newspaper | -6.4% | |||
| Business to Business | -8.1% | |||
| Local Newspaper | -8.7% | |||
| Local Sunday Supplements | -9.9% | |||
| TOTAL | -0.6% | |||
| Source: Nielsen | ||||
LCD TV revenues to fall 16% in 2009
DisplaySearch forecast LCD television revenues would fall 16% YTY to $64 bln in 2009, with total TV revenues expected to decline 18% to $88 bln. For 2009, DisplaySearch predicts the LCD TV market will grow 17% to 119.9 mln units, 11.5 mln units less than previously forecast.
33% of US broadband households interested in remote viewing
33% of US broadband households are looking for ways to access their stored media content from outside the home, according to Parks Associates. 35% of these households consider remote viewing a highly appealing ability. 50 mln households worldwide will be using place-shifting solutions outside the home by 2012.
Minutes per viewer spent on network TV Web site
| Name | Minutes per Viewer | |
| FOX Broadcasting | 114.3 | |
| CBS Television | 48.4 | |
| ABC.COM | 45.5 | |
| NBC.com | 34.6 | |
| Source: Nielsen | ||