Ofcom says tablets and phones are bringing families together as viewers gather round TVs with handheld devices
For decades, families settled on the sofa to share the latest adventures of Daleks, Dallas oil barons or Del Boy, until additional bedroom tellies, computer games and the internet almost put an end to family rows over who held the remote control.
Now, however, the traditional living room scene is making a comeback. A study by the communications watchdog Ofcom has found families are once again gathering around the main television set, but they are bringing their tablets and smartphones with them.
Viewing has been steadily rising, and we now spend an average of four hours a day watching television, 18 minutes more than in 2004. At the same time, the number of homes with second sets is falling – 41% of households now have only one TV, compared with 35% a decade ago.
"The 1950s living room is making a comeback as a family entertainment hub," said Jane Rumble, head of media research at Ofcom. "We are watching on much better, much bigger, more sophisticated television sets than we have ever done, but we are coming into the living room clutching our connected devices."
While the family may be coming together once more, comparisons with the past end there. With an array of smaller screens on hand – the average home has more than three types of internet device – not everyone sitting on the sofa will be sharing the same viewing experience.
The coronation may have drawn the undivided attention of 20 million viewers in 1953, but those watching the Queen's jubilee celebrations 60 years later were as likely to be commenting online about the BBC's coverage as watching it. "Just a few years ago, we would be talking about last night's TV at work or at school," said Ofcom's research director, James Thickett. "Now, we're having those conversations live while watching TV, using social media, text and instant messaging."
It is a behaviour for which researchers have coined the term "media meshing", and its impact was underlined during this year's Wimbledon men's tennis final,. As Andy Murray pushed towards his nail-biting victory, 1.1 million people worldwide sent an average of more than two tweets about the match.
Media meshers use the internet to enhance their television experience, for example by reading a newspaper live blog about a football match while watching the action on the main screen. For a huge number of younger viewers, the portable screen offers a chance to do something unrelated, such as online shopping, social networking, and even listening to music or watching another television programme.
Some 70% of 16- to 24-year-olds claim to indulge in what Ofcom calls "media stacking" at least once a week. For TV viewers, internet browsing is the most popular activity, but we are also calling friends on the phone or sending emails and texts. Surprisingly, 12% claim to have listened to the radio while the television was on, and 6% say they have watched another video simultaneously.
Half of UK adults are now media multi-taskers. Women in particular have mastered the art of screen juggling, with 56% claiming to do it weekly.
The temptation to consume more media is growing. In the past year alone, the number of households owning a tablet has doubled to nearly one in four, and tablet owners are even more likely to multi-task than those holding a smartphone.
Tablets are replacing the television as the electronic babysitter, with parents using the toddler-friendly touch-screen devices to keep their youngsters occupied. Among parents, 41% say their children use the tablet daily. While playing games is the most popular activity for young users, the tablet is often used to supply alternative programmes to the ones preferred by older viewers on the main set.
Ofcom's annual communications market report has highlighted the growing generational gap in media consumption. Younger adults watch television the least. Last year at peak times just under a third of young people tuned in, compared with two-thirds of over-65s.
Radio habits are changing too, thanks to the availability of music in other formats. Music streaming websites such as Spotify, Deezer and Last.fm are pulling younger listeners away from traditional radio stations, as are music downloads and catch-up services such as iPlayer. Time spent listening to radio has fallen by 13% in five years among 15- to 24-year-olds.
Our boundless appetite for digital media is also having an impact on household budgets. Despite contractions elsewhere in the economy, spending on communications has been increasing for two years and now accounts for 5.3% of total expenses. Smartphones in particular have pushed up the overall cost of communications, with the average household spending £114 a month last year. Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.
For decades, families settled on the sofa to share the latest adventures of Daleks, Dallas oil barons or Del Boy, until additional bedroom tellies, computer games and the internet almost put an end to family rows over who held the remote control.
Now, however, the traditional living room scene is making a comeback. A study by the communications watchdog Ofcom has found families are once again gathering around the main television set, but they are bringing their tablets and smartphones with them.
Viewing has been steadily rising, and we now spend an average of four hours a day watching television, 18 minutes more than in 2004. At the same time, the number of homes with second sets is falling – 41% of households now have only one TV, compared with 35% a decade ago.
"The 1950s living room is making a comeback as a family entertainment hub," said Jane Rumble, head of media research at Ofcom. "We are watching on much better, much bigger, more sophisticated television sets than we have ever done, but we are coming into the living room clutching our connected devices."
While the family may be coming together once more, comparisons with the past end there. With an array of smaller screens on hand – the average home has more than three types of internet device – not everyone sitting on the sofa will be sharing the same viewing experience.
The coronation may have drawn the undivided attention of 20 million viewers in 1953, but those watching the Queen's jubilee celebrations 60 years later were as likely to be commenting online about the BBC's coverage as watching it. "Just a few years ago, we would be talking about last night's TV at work or at school," said Ofcom's research director, James Thickett. "Now, we're having those conversations live while watching TV, using social media, text and instant messaging."
It is a behaviour for which researchers have coined the term "media meshing", and its impact was underlined during this year's Wimbledon men's tennis final,. As Andy Murray pushed towards his nail-biting victory, 1.1 million people worldwide sent an average of more than two tweets about the match.
Media meshers use the internet to enhance their television experience, for example by reading a newspaper live blog about a football match while watching the action on the main screen. For a huge number of younger viewers, the portable screen offers a chance to do something unrelated, such as online shopping, social networking, and even listening to music or watching another television programme.
Some 70% of 16- to 24-year-olds claim to indulge in what Ofcom calls "media stacking" at least once a week. For TV viewers, internet browsing is the most popular activity, but we are also calling friends on the phone or sending emails and texts. Surprisingly, 12% claim to have listened to the radio while the television was on, and 6% say they have watched another video simultaneously.
Half of UK adults are now media multi-taskers. Women in particular have mastered the art of screen juggling, with 56% claiming to do it weekly.
The temptation to consume more media is growing. In the past year alone, the number of households owning a tablet has doubled to nearly one in four, and tablet owners are even more likely to multi-task than those holding a smartphone.
Tablets are replacing the television as the electronic babysitter, with parents using the toddler-friendly touch-screen devices to keep their youngsters occupied. Among parents, 41% say their children use the tablet daily. While playing games is the most popular activity for young users, the tablet is often used to supply alternative programmes to the ones preferred by older viewers on the main set.
Ofcom's annual communications market report has highlighted the growing generational gap in media consumption. Younger adults watch television the least. Last year at peak times just under a third of young people tuned in, compared with two-thirds of over-65s.
Radio habits are changing too, thanks to the availability of music in other formats. Music streaming websites such as Spotify, Deezer and Last.fm are pulling younger listeners away from traditional radio stations, as are music downloads and catch-up services such as iPlayer. Time spent listening to radio has fallen by 13% in five years among 15- to 24-year-olds.
Our boundless appetite for digital media is also having an impact on household budgets. Despite contractions elsewhere in the economy, spending on communications has been increasing for two years and now accounts for 5.3% of total expenses. Smartphones in particular have pushed up the overall cost of communications, with the average household spending £114 a month last year. Reported by guardian.co.uk 9 hours ago.