23.02.2010

Fewer young viewers watch television in real-time

A survey commissioned by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA) states that there is a drop in the number of viewers watching television in real-time over the past year. The reduction is evident both among those who watch TV programmes on the internet and those who do not watch TV programmes on the internet. Particularly strong reduction can be witnessed in the age group of 15-19-year-olds. Also many in the age group of 20-44 watched television clearly less than before.

Approximately every second watches television programmes or equivalent audiovisual content on the internet more often than before. The change has been relatively equal in different age groups.

Every third estimates that they will watch more TV content on the internet during the following year. In particular those in the age group of 45-64 believe that they will increase the time they spend on watching TV programmes on the internet. Approximately every tenth estimates that they will watch less TV programmes on the traditional television over the next 12 months. Especially those in the age group of 20-34 believe that the share of watching traditional television will decrease.

However, watching TV programmes on their broadcasting time is still the most prevalent manner and there is very little variation between different age groups. Rented or bought recordings and short video clips viewed on the internet come in second and third (69% and 68%). Recorded TV programmes come in fourth place (57%) and content similar to TV programmes comes in fifth place (41 %).

Watching content similar to TV programmes on the internet is the most prevalent in the youngest age group. Various entertainment programmes attract the most viewers, but also news and series are watched regularly. The age group from 25 to 34 watches different programme types on the internet whereas news attract those over 35-years of age.

FICORA commissioned IRO Research Oy to carry out the survey during October - November 2009. For the survey, a total of 4,399 persons in the age group of 15-64 were interviewed on an internet panel.

Survey report [PDF, 253 KB](in Finnish)

Comparisons by age group [PDF, 154 KB] (in Finnish)

The Act on Television and Radio Operations extended to cover Video on Demand services

FICORA is responsible for monitoring the compliance with the Act on Television and Radio Operations. An amendment to the Act, which takes into consideration the changes required by the Audiovisual Media Services Directive, enters into force in early 2010. Along with the amendment, the Act will be applied, besides traditional TV broadcasting, to Video on Demand services provided in other networks.

Further information:

Tiina Aaltonen, Development Manager, tel. +358 9 6966 430, +358 40 777 4082