Nielsen: Live TV Still Rules

Live TV remains the predominant way people consume video, according to a new report from Nielsen that analyzes local TV viewing habits and the degree to which the proliferation smartphones, smart TVs, tablets, and video on-demand influence different markets.

In 24 of the top 25 designated market areas (DMAs), adults 25-54 watch more than three hours of live TV per day. In nine of the top 10 local people meter (LPM) markets, African-Americans watch more than five hours of live TV per day. Among the top 10 Hispanic LPM markets, Hispanics’ live TV viewing averages more than three hours per day, with those in Denver and Phoenix tuning for more than four hours.

Other highlights from the report include:

  • Cleveland remained number one in total TV viewing with five hours and 47 minutes
  • Over-the-top (OTT) viewing options grew 2 to 8 percent, depending on the device, compared to November 2014 (smart TV ownership across the U.S. is 20 percent while tablet penetration is 56 percent and smartphone penetration 82 percent)
  • Baltimore is the number one LPM market in multimedia usage (Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, etc.) with 18 minutes per day
  • Subscription video on demand reaches nearly half of the U.S. population, and markets like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Dallas experienced gains of up to 15 percent in one year

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