Consumers Changing the Way they Access Media

[Audioholics]

<FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>Consumer media habits seem to be changing as people watch video-on-demand services through their cable or satellite provider (10 percent in the past month), access news online (11 percent in the past month) and listen to Internet radio (37 million in the past month), according to a new study by Arbitron Inc. and Edison Media Research. </FONT>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=2>The study,<I> Internet and Multimedia 2005: The On-Demand Media Consumer</I>, finds that an estimated 27 million Americans own one or more on-demand media devices - such as a TiVo/DVR, iPod or other portable MP3 player - and also exhibit multiple behaviors that show a heavy tendency toward an on-demand media lifestyle. While the trend doesn't surprise us, the number provided in this report are thought-provoking. Still, until my Dad starts asking me about "this new TiVo thing" I'm not entirely convinced the data is representative of a continuously-growing trend.</FONT></SPAN></P>
<P><SPAN lang=en-us><FONT face=Arial size=2>[Read the Report Brief]</FONT></SPAN></P>

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Clint,

Blockbuster, at least in my area, is battling that with unlimited rentals this month for $9.99, then $14.99 thereafter. I think I'm on my 10th dvd for a mere $10! I'll drive 5 minutes for the DTS encoded dvd over pay per view anyday. Last month, I had tried to rent "Ray" on a friday evening. All copies were gone. Tried again saturday. Same thing. I emailed Blockbuster complaining about the poor selection and high $3.99 prices with their new "no late charges" policy saying people are keeping these dvd's a week because they can while everyone else suffers. Policies like that drive people to "pay per view". Someone got wise there with this new trend, but may decide they're losing money at $15 a month. Time will tell. The store here in northeast Columbus, Ohio certaintly hasn't slowed down.

Todd

 

[HookedOnSound]

...Still, until my Dad starts asking me about "this new TiVo thing" I'm not entirely convinced the data is representative of a continuously-growing trend.

View/Pay on demand has really started to pick up primarily due to acceptance of technologies surround it.

Several factors (too many to list) are at play but lowering prices, amount of leasure time ppl have, convenience, ease of use are all factors.

Referring to your Dad, I couldn't help but laugh at my own father's technology aptitude. To this day, I argue with him about coax and component quality differences! He owns a 36" Sony WEGA (bought last year) and I can't get him to use a component cable! Coax was good for his father so its good for him mentality! Sometimes you just can't win.


Even vhs/dvd rentals are a type of 'View on Demand' only not in real-time. So it's not so absurd that this genre of accessibility is gaining momentum. The format/medium of distribution has changed but the principals are the same.

I don't have an issue of going to a brick and mortar store to rent dvds and I am interested in Pay on demand to watch only the content I want but the only reason I haven't bothered with cable/sat service is because you pay monthly subscription fees which I hate with a passion. I already pay for DSL internet and I don't watch enough TV to warrant another monthly fee. But with the advent of high speed internet, I think more options will exist in the future...

Stay tuned!

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

Dishnetwork has "on demand" pay-per-view movies: You pay X amount of money and can watch "joe's film" on channel 666 all day. Then you can use your DVR to record the movie and watch it anytime ever after. (As my fiance did with New York Minute)

Why I dont use the service:

*Sh1tty compressed 2 channel music. I'll just rent the DVD with 5.1 thanks.

*fullscreen (they lost me here).

*less than DVD picture quality.

So when I get OAR and home theater quality 5.1/6.1 (on applicable films of course), I'll start using DishNetwork OnDemand.

 

[Shadow_Ferret]

When we had digital cable, we ordered many an on-demand movie. That's part of the reason we got rid of it, just cost too much.

I have an MP3 player which I download and listen to old time radio shows. The contrast between the two technologies amuses me.

And I'm like Clint's Dad. Tivo holds no interest for me. I tape programs the old fashioned way and see no reason to change.

 

[JJMP50]

On-Demand

Comcast Cable is the cable provider in my area and since we switched to digital, my Blockbuster expenses have fallen off the cliff. We watch On-Demand (HBO, Showtime, Starz, TMC, and Pay On-Demand) almost exclusively. The one problem I've had is my cable box. It does not have coax or optic outs for 5.1 audio. It only has one set of 2 channel analog outs. Because Comcast advertises 5.1 capability, I called them. My phone rep told me that the box that has 5.1 is for HDTVs and since I do not have one, I can't get that box (even though 5.1 is broadcasted on most of the digital stations High def or not). If it wasn't for Pro Logic II, my rears would be very lonely. Aren't monopolies fun?

 

[Mort Corey]

My cable company offers PPV on about 15 channels but I've never used that service. Usually, any of the offerings they list are movies I had already purchased the DVD. I'd wager that their biggest money makers in that realm are the porn movies.

Don't have a DVR, but will they record DD 5.1 audio?

Mort

 

[JohnA]

Clint,

Blockbuster, at least in my area, is battling that with unlimited rentals this month for $9.99, then $14.99 thereafter. I think I'm on my 10th dvd for a mere $10! I'll drive 5 minutes for the DTS encoded dvd over pay per view anyday. Last month, I had tried to rent "Ray" on a friday evening. All copies were gone. Tried again saturday. Same thing. I emailed Blockbuster complaining about the poor selection and high $3.99 prices with their new "no late charges" policy saying people are keeping these dvd's a week because they can while everyone else suffers. Policies like that drive people to "pay per view". Someone got wise there with this new trend, but may decide they're losing money at $15 a month. Time will tell. The store here in northeast Columbus, Ohio certaintly hasn't slowed down.

Todd

I have to agree with you on the poor stock of movies. I haven't had that big of problem, I know that on Friday and Saturday most will be out, but that is why I stop off during the week. Still, for some reason in OH the Blockbusters have such a poor stock on new releases (unlike CA where I came from). They only have like 7-15 of the Big releases like, Troy (bad example), Ladder 49, etc...but the have 30+ of Dodge ball...what the freak are they thinking!!!!

 

[Red]

My phone rep told me that the box that has 5.1 is for HDTVs and since I do not have one, I can't get that box (even though 5.1 is broadcasted on most of the digital stations High def or not). If it wasn't for Pro Logic II, my rears would be very lonely. Aren't monopolies fun?

Sounds like there may be a TV upgrade in the future.

Also, Bird....good call on Clapton's One More Car One More Rider DVD