Western Viewers Fall Behind in the Web-connected TV Revolution

NUREMBERG, Germany, August 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

People in markets such as China, Brazil and India better exploit the opportunities offered by web-connected television, compared to countries such as the UK, US and Germany. This is according to research carried out across thirteen countries by GfK's consumer research experts. The study found that western consumers are stuck in an 'analogue' mindset, whereas viewers in emerging markets are more likely to embrace the digital capabilities of Connected TV.

GfK research shows that a far higher proportion of Chinese, Korean and Indian consumers have used the functionalities of Smart TV in the past months, compared to those in Western markets.

    Connected TV usage:

    China          44%
    S. Korea       18%
    India          17%
    Brazil         14%
    Turkey         13%
    UK             11%
    USA            11%
    Mexico         11%
    Spain           8%
    Germany         8%
    Belgium         6%
    Russia          5%
    Netherlands     5%

GfK's findings show that 'Social TV' has yet to fully take-off. Globally, just 28% of viewers said that they found programmes that they can interact with to be more interesting to watch. And just 25% thought that tweeting and commenting on programmes 'enhances the viewing experience'.

Viewers in countries such as China, Brazil and India are more motivated by programmes they can interact with than those in markets such as the UK, US and Germany^[1].

Richard Preedy, at GfK, said: "Our findings suggest that broadcasters need to integrate their social elements far more engagingly into the fabric of the programme, in order to entice the viewer's interaction."

Across all markets, the ability to connect to the internet is less important than price, screen size and display technology, when buying a new TV.  But the West is more indifferent than the emerging markets, with only 26% of UK and 29% of US consumers saying they look out for a net enabled set, compared to 61% in India and 64% in China.

You can read more the full press release here: http://www.gfk.com/group/press_information/press_releases/index.en.html

FOOTNOTES:

^[1] % agreeing with statement 'Programmes I can interact with are much more interesting to watch' Brazil 42%, China 61%, India 59% vs. UK 16%, USA 18%, Germany 15%

Research contact: Ryan Garner, [email protected]

PR contact: Amanda Wheeler, [email protected] / +44-7919-624688

SOURCE GfK