About Futuresource Consulting

Futuresource Consulting, the specialist research and consulting company, is delighted to be the official knowledge partner for CEATEC JAPAN. The company can trace its roots back to the 1980s and provides market insights into consumer electronics, digital imaging, entertainment media, broadcast, optical manufacturing, storage media, professional IT and education technology.
With more than 70 full-time employees providing in-depth analysis and forecasts across consumer and professional electronics categories, Futuresource is able to advise on market, competitive and technological developments, providing clients with access to the information that helps produce the best possible results.

Vol.102011/11/17

50% of consumers using second screen when watching television

Nearly 50% of consumers are using another electronic device while watching TV at home, according to findings from a new wave of ‘Living with Digital’ consumer research carried out by Futuresource Consulting. The most popular reasons for this include combating boredom, needing something else to do and keeping in touch with friends, though 10% said it makes them feel part of the show, highlighting the complementary nature of second screens. The study also found that younger respondents are more likely to be participating in this behaviour.

‘Living with Digital’, which was carried out in the USA, UK, France and Germany with more than 2,600 respondents ranging from 12 to 65+ years of age, explores the ways in which consumers interact with and consume digital entertainment and compares behaviours with those of six months ago.

The study also shows that 57% of people are watching online video content, with nearly one in four using their smartphones, at least occasionally. Watching online video on a desktop PC is still the most common method, very closely followed by laptop.

In all four countries surveyed, there has been a net increase in online video viewing over the last six months, with wider choice, more appealing content and being able to watch content at any time the key factors behind the shift. However, more than 80% of respondents still do not pay for online video content; although nearly 40% of these said they could be persuaded in the future. Among respondents that have paid for online content already, more than two in every three have paid for movies.

When asked about their buying behaviours for physical media, 60% of respondents are still buying DVDs and 19% are buying Blu-ray Discs. Of the countries surveyed, people living in the UK buy the most DVDs, an average of nearly 6.5 during the last six months. For Blu-ray, the USA leads the way, with US purchasers of Blu-ray Discs buying an average of 5.75 in the last six months.

In Germany and France there is a net increase in the number of people buying more Blu-ray Discs than six months ago, with 41% of people in Germany buying more titles than they did six months ago.

(‘Living with Digital’ is an ongoing programme of independent research from Futuresource Consulting, exploring the ways in which consumers interact with and consume digital entertainment, whether via the TV, online or on a mobile device. The study is based on regular consumer surveys carried out in the USA, UK, France and Germany, with more than 2,500 respondents surveyed in each round.)