A Nielsen report released today finds more Americans are surfing the Web and watching television at the same time. At least once a month, “60 percent of TV viewers use the Web at the same time,” reports Reuters. (That means Americans spend 3.5 hours a month surfing the Web while watching television.) These numbers ease concerns that the Internet would eventually replace traditional television watching. “The initial fear was that Internet and mobile video and entertainment would slowly cannibalize traditional TV viewing, but the steady trend of increased TV viewership alongside expanded simultaneous usage argues something quite different,” Nielsen Co. media product leader Matt O’Grady said. The study also found that 35 percent of American households have a DVR.
Mar 22
2010
05:17 PM ET
Americans simultaneously surf the Web and watch TV, says Nielsen report
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lol @ 3.5 hours
I love being able to surf the web while I watch TV. Although my brain is probably now fried, at least I can look up actors I recognize (but can’t place where they’re from) while I’m watching an episode. Thank goodness for laptops and IMDB.
I am so with you, Kaci. IMDB is the best invention ever.
Except for chocolate.
Kaci and Karen, I couldn’t agree more.
I look up people all the time, it’s crazy. What did we do before the internet?
I’m reading this story while watching TV, so I’d say that study is pretty accurate…
Right there with you. Watching tv, surfing the net and working from home.
I play World of Warcraft while watching everything. Well except now. I’m typing on a blog while watching about pyramids. … Buddha bless modern life.
I’m doing the exact same thing Nate. lol
me too watching my dvr’d shows and reading this article lol
How pointless. It’s like doing a study on whether people walk and chew gum at the same time.
Also, I’d like to add that I don’t think internet will ever replace traditional television watching. I’d much rather watch television from my comfy couch on a big flat screen than in an office chair on my much smaller computer monitor.
Ever heard of media systems? We sell em everyday, it’s a computer that is hooked in through your tv, can include things such as: Blu Ray Burners, HUGE storage capabilities (Over 5Terabytes easily), ability to record shows just like your DVR, ability to play DVD’s and video games on your TV. output at 1080P full high-def and full surround sound. I’m sorry but your computer and internet can easily take over standard tv watching, anything such as Hulu, or most tv stations have their news online, as well as being able to watch football, nascar, and any sport online. All of that can be broadcast through your TV just like your monitor, as a matter of fact this is being written in a PIP (Picture in Picture) on a 60″ tv, so the tv is playing in half and this is up in the other half.
TV is no longer what it used to be, and in a few years it’ll be even less.
That’s what I do. The only time I JUST watch TV is if I really really need to concentrate on a show (LOST) but for almost everything else I’m online. Thank god for laptops.
Exactly what I was going to say. Plus with DVR, if I find I’ve missed something I can just rewind and catch up during the commercials.
Uh… Yeah. I think I do it 3.5 hours A DAY. Like Hrfer said, aside from a show like LOST, maximized media binging is the norm at my house.
guilty as charged.
I love how they need these fancy studies to confirm what I and anyone else could have told you for free.
I do it ALL THE TIME. Glad I’m not alone in this, although I still feel ashamed about it. But that’s what happens when laptops are so widely available. You just can’t do that with a desktop.
I kind of feel like I have ADD sometimes when I’m watching TV while surfing the web and talking on AIM. I love WinTV2000!
This is how I avoid insanity while my son watches Max and Ruby and Dora the Explorer.
Yep. Part of this statistic.
of course, I do it — and of course, depends on the show – some must be watched and then do the net during the commercials — but is it sad that I’m on net right now while I’m watching “Hoarders”?? LOL
I’m doing it right now……