Billy Nayden 3
A new industry report from Parks Associates finds that as US broadband households spend less time per week watching video on a television, they are watching more user-generated content online, which increasingly includes live broadcast video.
The Future of Live Entertainment reports 47% of US broadband households watch user-generated content more than once per month.
“Total average video consumption on a television has dropped 13%, from more than 20 hours per week in 2012 to less than 17 hours per week in 2017. In contrast, user-generated live content is gaining popularity, with platforms such as Instagram Live providing new ways for content creators to engage with their viewers in real time. As more alternatives to traditional TV emerge, all players will explore new and unique ways to package and present digital streaming as part of their services,” said Billy Nayden, Research Analyst, Parks Associates.
By the end of 2017, 12% of U.S. broadband households were regularly watching either a live TV show or live events via a live streaming site or apps such as Twitter, Facebook, or Twitch. ABC launched a 24/7 live streaming network in April 2018 to capitalize on this trend.
“For content whose value is its live broadcast, such as sports and breaking news, there are online alternatives emerging. Much of news consumption has moved to social media, while sports TV has shifted to digital in recent years, with many OTT options going directly to consumers, including MLB.TV, NBA League Pass, and ESPN+,” Nayden said.
