New research shows that television viewers across the UK are abandoning traditional television schedules in their droves, resulting in a boom for on-demand TV services.

More than a third of consumers (37%) are now regularly watching on demand content, twice as many as last year (17%), according to the annual Tiscali TV Trends report.

The report reveals that 86% of those watching on-demand TV are watching at least as much, if not more TV than a year ago.

With almost two thirds of consumers (64%) saying traditional TV schedules restrict their viewing too much, it is clear that a lack of choice, frustration at the restrictions of rigid TV schedules and technical innovations in the more flexible delivery of television, are behind viewers turning off traditional channels and networks.

Although many new web TV services have been launched in 2007 (BBC iPlayer, ITV.com, 4oD and Joost), viewers still prefer to watch on-demand programmes properly on their TV. In fact, 62% of those viewing on-demand content are doing so on their television set, while the remaining 38% are watching via their PC.

The report also highlights the fact that a third (31%) of British consumers are not ready for the digital switchover or don’t know if they are ready. The age group most at risk is the over 55s.


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