Study reveals how smartphones are transforming the TV experience

Streaming Video Alliance Mobile Video Study Reveals How Smartphones are Transforming the Television Experience

FREMONT, CA — The Streaming Video Alliance, a global industry forum comprised of leading companies from the online video ecosystem, today announced the findings of its Mobile Video: Exposed report that explores consumers’ perceptions and behaviors around watching video on mobile phones. The 2016 report reveals the critical role that mobile is having on the transformation of television and its increasing influence in how people are consuming video content due to its ease of use and accessibility. The study confirmed that 40% of people watch an hour or more of video on their smartphone each week, and 25% watch more than two hours. In addition, the report provides a special “Millennials insights section” exploring behaviors and perceptions specific to that demographic.

Conducted by the Streaming Video Alliance, the report was based on a survey of 500 respondents in the U.S. Key findings from the 2016 Mobile Video: Exposed include:

• Apple iOS is the dominant mobile operating system through which consumers watch video, while Android is a close second.
• Millennials are watching more video on mobile than other demographics and tend to stream video from applications. They are also more likely to watch mobile video, if they don’t have to pay for additional data.
• Consumers are most often watching video on their phone while at home, indicating that under certain circumstances people would rather watch video on mobile than on the television.
• Despite the growth of premium OTT providers, YouTube is the dominant source for video on mobile phones.
• Buffering and data usage are the top frustrations for mobile video watching.
• Consumers prefer to watch video over WiFi but will use cellular data to get the content they want when WiFi is not available.
• If consumers had access to more data, they would watch more video on mobile, however they do not want to pay for it.

“The trend toward mobility has consumers watching more content away from primary televisions, which is playing an important role in the evolving television experience,” said Jason Thibeault, Executive Director, Streaming Video Alliance. “This year’s Mobile Video report strongly validates this trend, and reveals how mobile is beginning to supplement other connected devices to consumer content, triggering organizations to begin thinking more about mobile as part of their overall viewing experience. The mobile report is just one part of a larger Streaming Video Alliance initiative of annual surveys that explore industry ecosystem shifts and challenges in streaming media and mobile video. We look forward to continuing to address these key industry and online video challenges that will help the community foster collaboration and growth.”

Members of the Alliance include: Adobe, ARRIS, Cedexis, Charter Communications, Ciena, Cisco Systems, Comcast, Concurrent, Conviva, Encompass TV, Ericsson, FOX Networks, Hughes Satellite Systems, IBM, IneoQuest, Intel Corp., Irdeto, Level 3 Communications, Liberty Global, Limelight Networks, MediaMelon, MLBAM, Mobolize, Nagra, NBCUniversal, NeuLion, Nice People at Work, Nokia, Nominum, OWNZONES, Qwilt, Sky, System73, Telecom Italia, Telstra, ViaPlay, ViaSat Inc., Verimatrix, Verizon, Vubiquity, Wowza Media Systems and Yahoo.