While it’s convenient for TV channels to provide online programming for users to watch – including recently aired TV shows and some net-based exclusives – that doesn’t always mean they’re prone for success.
Case in point: according to a new survey by RBC Capital Markets, TV network websites are seeing a drop in viewers, while on-demand services like Netflix and Amazon are seeing growth.
Out of those polled last month, 42 percent use Netflix to watch programming (TV and movies) during the previous year, coming in a close second behind YouTube’s 44 percent. Hulu and Amazon ranked third and fourth, respectively.
By comparison, however, TV services, including official websites for ABC and NBC, have seen a rough decline in viewership, with somewhere between a two to five percent drop over the past year and a half. ABC took the biggest hit with a five percent drop overall.
As you can see from the chart below, on-demand services surged, probably due to the lack of forced advertisements as you normally see on the likes of ABC.com and NBC.com’s programs. Amazon has seen the most growth overall in the past year and a half, with an eight percent increase overall. Others, like Netflix and YouTube, have grown around four to five percent.
Although not all services have been popular – Hulu and iTunes both saw minor drops – they do provide an interesting trait when it comes to how viewers prefer to watch their programs online. One has to wonder if these traits are going to continue in the next year ahead, especially as channels like Netflix and Amazon boost their original programming cycle.
So what’s making Netflix so popular 19 percent of respondents believe that shows like Orange Is the New Black make all the difference. Said RBC analyst Mark Mahaney, “That exclusivity makes Netflix special.”
What do you think Do you prefer on-demand services in favor of channel-sponsored websites that show programming Or do you feel that there’s a need for both when it comes to fulfilling your TV/movie watching needs
Source: Hollywood Reporter
