About 14 percent of smartphone and tablet owners used them to watch television in the past six months, according to a survey by researcher Parks Associates.
People ages 18 to 34 were more open to using mobile apps for entertainment, citing convenience as an attraction, while older consumers had little interest, the Dallas-based researcher found. Overall about 25 percent of survey respondents expressed interest in using apps.
Networks are introducing apps for smartphones and tablets ahead of the TV season that starts in September, giving consumers new ways to access shows and information about their favorite programs. Of those who had used apps for TV in the past six months, more than 60 percent said they watched less than three times a month.
“Usage is still a little light,” John Barrett, director of consumer analytics at Parks Associates, said in an interview. “It’s not necessarily something people do every time they watch the show or channel because that would at lest be a weekly activity.”
Nine percent of app users accessed them daily or almost daily. Shows with popular apps include “The Walking Dead” on AMC and “Glee,” shown on Fox network, in addition to Viacom Inc. (VIAB)’s MTV and Nickelodeon channels.
From the article, "Survey Finds 14% of Mobile Device Owners Use Them for TV" by Andy Fixmer.
