It is not just connected device manufacturers that have enjoyed the huge upsurge in the uptake of tablets; paid-for video providers are no cashing in and also as paid video content becomes more available especially on second-screens, there has been a corresponding fall in usage of PCs for video in a connected home.
According to the
J.D. Power and Associates 2012 US Residential Pay-to-View Study, 29% of video service customers watched paid content on a handheld device. Over the same time, PC/Mac viewing of paid content declined from 39% to 48% in 2011.
since 2011, tablets have been the most often used handheld device for viewing video accounting for nearly a fifth (18%) of customers, up 7% year-on-year. By contrast, phone-based usage inched up 2% to 16%. "Customers are becoming more comfortable viewing their paid content on a smaller screen, such as a tablet or mobile phone," explained Frank Perazzini, director of telecommunications at J.D. Power and Associates. "The convenience of the device, as well as the availability of the content, has made it much easier to experience video on a variety of devices. However, the desire to watch events and video content as it happens is still prevalent, as more than 50% of viewers watch live television programming."
The study also revealed interesting age demographic differences in the usage and viewing practices and satisfaction of paid content by Gen Y and Baby Boomer customers."Baby Boomers are more becoming more comfortable with paid video technology and, as a result, are becoming more satisfied with the services available…Conversely, Gen Y customers are already familiar with the technology and not only demand a high level of service from video service providers, but also are quick to seek alternatives when they believe they could have a better experience elsewhere," added Perazzini.