The PC TV Paradox

I find it interesting that so many people use multiple technologies and do many things at once.
I see friends fact checking while watching TV. I see them muti-tasking too. And then there is the usual vintage movie question – “Is that actor/actress still alive?” My wife even makes phone calls and keeps her eye on the TV. I read, surf and watch simultaneously.
I think this multi-tasking of TV and PC will increase a lot as TV goes totally digital in June. Watch and see the tie-ins. It’ll be more than texting your American Idol vote!
In-Stat: 66.3 Million US TV Viewers are Simultaneously Using a PC While Watching TV
“SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., April 18, 2009 – Over 66 million consumers across demographic categories are using the Internet while camped out on their sofas watching TV, according to market research firm In-Stat http://www.in-stat.com. Based on In-Stat’s recent survey, 33% of all male respondents, across age groups, reported that they are sometimes using a personal computer simultaneously while watching TV. Among some male age groups the behavior was as high as 50%. In contrast, about 25% of female respondents reported using a PC while watching TV.
“Consumer multitasking represents an important emerging opportunity for the TV industry” says Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. “Local TV stations, TV networks, pay-TV networks, 24-hour news networks, sports leagues, and music channels, can instantly connect to some of their viewers, right now, on both the TV screen and on a laptop computer screen.”
Recent research by In-Stat found the following:
One-fifth of all respondents reported doing instant messaging while watching TV, with similar responses among females and males.
US consumers could drop spending on mobile, broadband and pay TV services by nearly $5 billion due to economic turmoil.
About 15% of US respondents intend to cut back spending on subscription-TV, broadband, and mobile services in response to economic pressures.”
I’d love to see a library-themed game show that tied our websites, even WorldCat, to a great game. If Jeopardy can be a hit for decades on questions, maybe we can hit it off on answers!
Stephen