America’s New Pastime?
Came across an interesting story on my TV Week daily e-newsletter. It originates from The Hollywood Reporter on a Nielsen report:
Americans Increase Their Simultaneous Viewing of TV and Internet Usage Significantly
According to the Nielsen Company Three Screen Report, Americans are watching television and
surfing the Internet simultaneously more than ever, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Based on the final quarter of 2009, the use of Internet and watching TV at the same time climbed significantly, increasing 35% to 3.5 hours a month.
Matt O’Grady, Nielsen Company media product leader, explained, “The initial fear was that Internet and mobile video and entertainment would slowly cannibalize traditional TV viewing, but the steady trend of increased TV viewership alongside expanded simultaneous usage argues something quite different.”
Sent this story to my friend who responded that he probably did 3.5 hours of TV/Internet in just one night!
I think we discovered a new pastime for Americans–that is, passing the time, entertaining ourselves between two screens and maybe some light conversation. I don’t know if I could say that the activity is cathartic. Maybe therapeutic, or at least numbing. Then again, it shows how ADD has reached a new height–the epitome of multiple sources of stimulation to keep us grounded and satisfied. Just glad I’m a more simplistic man.
Hmmm… wasn’t it just the other night I was sitting in front of the TV with my laptop open to e-mail, a research web site and my Facebook while texting my daughter? No sweat in processing all of that. Wait.. what did Ducky just say to Abbey?