Media Consumption Trends: Increased Interest In Tablets and Streaming Media

Trends/Issues

January 16, 2013 -- A survey of media consumption trends finds a growing number of Americans are likely to replace traditional laptops and desktops with tablets in 2013. There is also a growing interest in streaming for TV media consumption.
 
Findings from the survey of more than 2,100 U.S. adults, conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Belkin, a producer of home technology products:
 
MOST-USED HOUSEHOLD TECHNOLOGY DEVICES
 

• Forty-two percent of Americans anticipate a desktop/laptop computer to be the most-used technology device in their household in 2013.

• The next most common device that survey respondents see being used most is the television (31%), followed by smartphones (27%).

• Though tablets are growing in popularity, just 20% of adults anticipate a tablet to be the most used technology device in their household in 2013.

 
TABLETS GAINING IN POPULARITY
 

• Nearly one on 4 (38%) respondents between the ages of 18 and 34 are considering replacing their laptop with a tablet in 2013. One-third (34%) of those between 35 and 54 would do so, and 21% of those over 55 plan to do the same.

 
STREAMING TO GIVE CABLE TV A RUN FOR IT?
 

• In 2013, 39% of young U.S. adults (ages of 18 and 34) would consider replacing their television cable or satellite provider with a streaming media subscription service, such as Netflix or Hulu Plus.

• Comparatively, 31% of those ages 35 to 54, and 20% of those over 55, would consider replacing their television cable/satellite provider with a streaming media subscription service this year.

• Households who have children under age 18 in their households (37%) are more likely to consider replacing their cable/satellite subscription than households with no children (27%).

 
NEWS & ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES
 

• Among respondents ages 18 to 34, 41% plan on using either their desktop or laptop as the primary source of news and entertainment in 2013.

• Older adults plan on using television as their primary source of news and entertainment in 2013 (43% of those age 35 to 44; 56% of those age 45 to 54; 67% of those age 55 and over).

About:  The survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of Belkin from December 27-31, 2012 among 2,135 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.

Source: Business Wire, Many Americans Likely to Swap Traditional Tech with Tablets & New Media in 2013, January 16, 2013.