In a typical week, 10% of all U.S. adults watch streaming content online such as videos, TV programs and movies. This percentage has doubled in just the last two years.
Watching online streaming video is becoming ever more popular among adults of all ages. Nonetheless, 18-to-34 year-olds are the most likely to watch online streaming video. In fact, the gap between 18-to-34 year-olds and older adults when it comes to watching online streaming video has continued to increase. In January 2008, young adults maintained a 6 percentage point lead over adults age 35 and older. In March 2010, the lead had increased to 11 percentage points.
Males are more likely to watch online streaming video than females, but females are increasingly involved in this activity as well, with 12% of males and 9% of females watching streaming online video as of March 15, 2010.
Expect the number of U.S. adults watching videos, TV programs and movies online to continue to increase as specialized websites multiply and traditional media websites like NBC.com, ABC.com or TBS.com continue the move towards streaming video content, including full episodes of popular TV shows.