70% Of U.S. Consumers Are Binge-Watchers

Seventy percent of U.S. consumers are binge-watchers and now binge watch an average of five episodes at a time, and almost one-third (31 percent) binge on a weekly basis, according to a survey by Deloitte. http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/deloitte-70-percent-of-us-consumers-binge-watch-tv-bingers-average-five-episodes-per-sitting-300239973.html The survey pointed out that 46 percent of Americans now subscribe to streaming video services, with millennials aged 14-25 spending more time streaming video content than watching live television. This finding bodes well for companies such as Netflix, Inc.

, Amazon.com, Inc.

, Hulu and Sling TV, a unit of DISH Network Corp

. The survey also found that the influence of online reviews and social media eclipsing TV advertising for many millennials and two-thirds of millennials value interactions with friends on social media as much as time spent in-person. Following are some of the findings of the survey: • Millennials aged 26-32 who currently pay for streaming video have an average of three subscriptions. • Millennials aged 14-25 value their streaming video subscriptions more than pay TV subscriptions. • Over one-third of baby boomers aged 50-68 (35 percent) who binge watch TV do so once a week, and average four episodes per sitting. • Over half (53 percent) of U.S. consumers who binge watch choose television dramas. • The percentage of streaming subscribers who ranked the service among their top three most valued subscriptions has tripled in the last three years (61 percent today, up from 17 percent in 2012). "The proliferation of online content shows no signs of slowing down and the consumer appetite to consume content is equally voracious," Gerald Belson, vice chairman and U.S media and entertainment sector leader, Deloitte Consulting LLP, said in a press release. "The survey data indicates that consumers are more willing than ever to invest in services to watch whenever, wherever and on whatever device they choose."