TV Viewing Up in 2005

Contrary to the conventional wisdom that has Americans watching less TV as we spend more time on the Internet and playing video games, a new Nielsen survey finds that Americans are watching more TV in 2005 than they were the previous year.

Viewership was up across all gender, age and ethnic categories (except for Hispanic adult males, whose viewing held steady). Even teenagers, who are supposedly preoccupied with the Net and video games, watch 18 minutes more per day on average than they did in 2004. In fact, teenagers has the largest jump in viewing (up by 18 minutes per day) among all the demographic groups.

Overall, the average American watches 4 hours and 22 minutes of TV a day, 10 minutes more than last year.

The survey, however, sheds little light on exactly what Americans were watching that was so compelling. It also doesn't say how many Americans were giving TV their undivided attention or were multitasking while watching. It also doesn't distinguish broadcasting from the "big three" networks from smaller cable and satellite channels, which other studies indicate are increasing their market share.

Source: Broadcasting & Cable