Project-Buckfast
02-05-2005, 07:05 AM
Source: BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk)
Author: Mark Ward
Friday, 4 February, 2005
There was a time when calling a TV programme popular meant that most of the nation sat down and watched when it was broadcast.
In Britain the Morecambe and Wise Christmas special broadcast in 1977 holds the record for the biggest audience as more than half the population tuned in.
More recently in 1990 the surge of demand for power following the World Cup semi-final clash between England and West Germany is cited by the National Grid as the biggest ever -
showing how it too caught the nation's attention.
But such events are rare, and likely to become increasingly so.
Smaller audience
This is because there are so many channels that the possible audience for a single programme is divided ever more finely.
But it is mainly because of what the net, and in particular broadband access, is doing to TV viewing habits that is changing how people consume television.
Research shows that what suffers when people use the net more, is time spent in front of the TV.
According to Jupiter Research 40% of homes with broadband say they spend far less time vegging out in front of the TV and just watching whatever is on.
Instead of just watching what is on, broadband is helping people make sure they catch the programmes they want to see or that friends have recommended.
Video recorders started this trend by helping us catch the shows we would otherwise miss, but the net is taking this further by giving people a means of consuming TV when they want to.
Full Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4235657.stm)
Author: Mark Ward
Friday, 4 February, 2005
There was a time when calling a TV programme popular meant that most of the nation sat down and watched when it was broadcast.
In Britain the Morecambe and Wise Christmas special broadcast in 1977 holds the record for the biggest audience as more than half the population tuned in.
More recently in 1990 the surge of demand for power following the World Cup semi-final clash between England and West Germany is cited by the National Grid as the biggest ever -
showing how it too caught the nation's attention.
But such events are rare, and likely to become increasingly so.
Smaller audience
This is because there are so many channels that the possible audience for a single programme is divided ever more finely.
But it is mainly because of what the net, and in particular broadband access, is doing to TV viewing habits that is changing how people consume television.
Research shows that what suffers when people use the net more, is time spent in front of the TV.
According to Jupiter Research 40% of homes with broadband say they spend far less time vegging out in front of the TV and just watching whatever is on.
Instead of just watching what is on, broadband is helping people make sure they catch the programmes they want to see or that friends have recommended.
Video recorders started this trend by helping us catch the shows we would otherwise miss, but the net is taking this further by giving people a means of consuming TV when they want to.
Full Story (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4235657.stm)