The living room television as the key entertainment centre in a household is rapidly heading to be included in the category of ‘quaint things of the past’.
More people, particularly younger ones, have been converted streaming TV programmes and video on tablets and smartphones, according to new data from Ofcom, the communications watchdog.
Those between 16 and 24 watch only half of their TV live, with the other half devoted to video on-demand services such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, BBC iPlayer and All4.
Three-fifths access news online, and 50% consider the internet their most important source of world news.
Older people too are quickly adopting the new formats. People aged 35 to 44 used 25% more online TV or on-demand services a week than they had in 2007.
While the report does not mention expats, certainly their use of online has grown phenomenally in one jump since the time the satellite was changed.
Today the BBC announced swinging cuts to its services and personnel because it is facing a £150 million budget gap in the licence fee income.
An unexpected increase in the number of households saying they do not watch live TV so do not pay for a licence has been blamed for the shortfall.
The £145.50 fee has been frozen for seven years, but there are one million fewer televisions in households now than had been predicted in 2011.
Ofcom speculates that the switch away from television will result in new programme formats to meet specialised audiences, especially perhaps younger people.
“More people are watching online or on demand, and this presents challenges as well as opportunities for public service broadcasters," said Sharon White, chief executive of Ofcom.
"They must continue to find new ways of connecting with audiences, and the Public Service Broadcast system needs to evolve to ensure it remains effective in the digital age.”
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