Internet television is used now instead of a video recorder for the younger generation. And when a show is missed, they are using online tv to get their fix.

In the study by Solutions Research Group it was revealed that in the 18-34 age range, 70% of online US residents have watched online tv. However only a third of the group have ever used a DVR or TiVo device.

It appears that the younger generation of internet users are more comfortable using a laptop than digital recording hardware. The research groups spokesman, Kaan Yigit said:- “Younger generations are bonding with a laptop as their media portal of choice, just as previous generations did with TV and, before then, radio. It’s not so much the end of TV as much as the beginning of a different kind of TV, one that is portable, flexible, shareable and searchable. This is the expectation of a new generation.”

They have discovered that if they miss a show, it is much easier to catch up online rather than remembering to record the show. Yigit continued:- “At the 30,000 feet level, it is obvious to most that online will become the main platform for video entertainment. When we reach a true tipping point is debatable. Some say five years, others 10. But it will happen, based on all the indicators.”

This is based on the fact that a larger percentage of people are watching more tv content on the internet. Viewing of TV episodes online has doubled to 50% of the internet audience in 2008 compared to 2006. And PC is becoming as common a place to watch shows as the tv set to the younger crowd.

Yigit said:- “As more content becomes available online, whether on network sites, Hulu, or via cable-delivered online portals of the kind Time Warner Cable is working on, the question will become, ‘Why do you need a DVR?’?”.

This is a slowly process though as TV is still king and viewers are not yet binning the cable and satellite boxes just yet. And according to a recent report from Leichtman Research Group, a tiny 3% of internet enabled consumers would jump into internet tv only at this time.

Another interesting fact is that although a mere 8% of adults say that internet tv means they watch less traditional TV, 18% of the younger generation are admitting that they watch less normal TV and more internet tv. This shows that the move to watching online will be fuelled by young viewers.

So why youngsters? Just look at what is popular with this demographic. The mega popular iPhone and other mobile devices which all show video and are internet connected. They are used to getting content on demand. Not when the networks say they can watch it.

Simply put. Internet TV will get stronger as time goes on because the present generation and the next are all in tune with watching TV online.

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