Video engagement rates up

09/06/2008

The popularity of video streaming has increased in the last year, according to a poll by Ipsos.

The figures show that although television remains the most popular means of consuming video, PC has now outstripped the cinema, portable DVD and media players in terms of popularity across all age groups.

The statistics point towards a possible time when internet takes over from TV as the preferred method of visual consumption.

EMarketer senior analyst David Hallerman expects that day to come soon.

"People want professionally created, long-form video, such as full TV shows, in high definition to match their flat-screen TVs, and they want to readily connect their computers with their televisions," he said.

"And someday most people will get what they want—look ahead three to five years."

The younger generation seem to be engaging most with streaming video with 27 per cent of 18-24-year-olds polled saying they use their PCs to stream video.

The difference between age groups is not vast though, with 18 per cent of over-55s using streaming video.

The figures will interest advertisers looking for new ways to target their markets.