CEA Study Finds Home Media Landscape Shifting to Digital Content

ARLINGTON, Va. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^® today releases a new study which found that more than half (53 percent) of online U.S. adults watch some form of streaming or downloaded video content in the home. Those consumers have a distinct preference for streaming video versus downloading content, as 51 percent view streaming content and spend an average of two hours per week watching, while only 15 percent download content and spend an average of one hour watching.

The new study, Connecting the Dots Between Consumers, Content and Consumer Electronics in the Home, provides additional insights into how consumers are accessing content in their homes and their interest in media connectivity systems.

Like video consumption, more than half (54 percent) of online U.S. adults listen to digital audio in the home. But unlike video, the preference for digital audio content skews toward downloaded audio (43 percent) versus streaming audio (37 percent). Those consumers spent an average of 2.6 hours listening to downloaded files versus two hours for streaming audio.

“Technology allows consumers to access almost any content they desire instantaneously on Internet-connected devices,” said Chris Ely, manager, industry relations, CEA. “The rise of mobile broadband has resulted in the emergence of connected devices that are able to stream content directly from the Internet, and services that allow consumers to store and access content without the need of a hard drive.”

One in four consumers expressed an interest in purchasing a home media connectivity system. The study shows that new home purchasers can be a “sweet spot” in spurring adoption of connectivity systems. Sixty percent of those interested in connectivity systems indicated that they were considering buying a system with a purchase of a new home.

“Digital media consumption will continue to grow as the number of connected devices and services for accessing content improves and expands,” added Daniel. “Manufactures, content providers, aggregators and service providers must work together to ensure the content customers want is accessible through different devices. The sooner the market is able to meet the consumers’ needs, the sooner the industry will reap the benefits.”

CEA will reveal further results and insights of the study in a webinar on Wednesday, January 18, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. EST. Ely will lead the webinar to discuss how consumers are accessing streaming and downloaded content in the home, how they are getting to that content, how that connection could be improved, and their level of interest in systems designed to streamline and simplify access to content in the home.

The study, Connecting the Dots Between Consumers, Content and Consumer Electronics in the Home was conducted September 19-25, 2011. It was designed and formulated by CEA Market Research, the most comprehensive source of sales data, forecasts, consumer research and historical trends for the consumer electronics industry. Please cite any information to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®. The complete study is available free to CEA member companies at members.CE.org. Non-members may purchase the study at the CEA Store.

About CEA:

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is the preeminent trade association promoting growth in the $200 billion U.S. consumer electronics industry. More than 2,000 companies enjoy the benefits of CEA membership, including legislative advocacy, market research, technical training and education, industry promotion, standards development and the fostering of business and strategic relationships. CEA also owns and produces the International CES – The Global Stage for Innovation. All profits from CES are reinvested into CEA’s industry services. Find CEA online at www.CE.org, www.DeclareInnovation.com and through social media: https://www.facebook.com/#!/CEAfeed, http://twitter.com/ceafeed, http://blog.ce.org/.

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