canada: internet tops tv viewing

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http://www.ottawasun.com/news/canada/2010/03/22/13314206-qmi.html

Internet tops TV viewing in Canada: Ipsos poll

QMI Agency Last Updated:
March 22, 2010

For the first time ever, Canadians are spending more time surfing the web than they are watching television, a new poll shows.

Canadians are now spending more than 18 hours each week online, and 16.9 hours watching television, the Ipsos Reid study shows. That's up from last year, when we were spending 14.9 hours on the Internet and 15.8 hours watching TV.

Males are spending more time online than females - 20 hours for men, 16 hours for women - and those aged 18-34 are spending 20 hours each week online, while people 35 and up are spending about 18 hours online.

"Today, online Canadians are finding a myriad of entertainment options available to them within the walls of their homes. While some entertainment content has simply shifted from television to online, the Internet is also providing new content to Canadians," study author Mark Laver says in a press release.

"The Internet is poised to take the next step in our lives as it delivers more and more entertainment content to Canadians in their homes and on the go." When it comes to watching TV, those 55 and up are sitting in front of the tube for about 20 hours each week. But the hours drop as people get younger.

People between the ages of 35-54 spend about 15 hours watching their favourite shows while those 18-34 will watch TV for about 13 hours each week.

The online survey of 839 people was conducted via the Ipsos Online Panel last fall.

"The data indicates that not only are people of all ages spending more and more time online, but it also points to a shift in how online Canadians are consuming media and where they are spending their free time," Laver said.