57% of Americans watch TV and surf Internet simultaneously

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.