Convergence has finally arrived, according to Ofcom’s annual study of the UK Communications market. The regulator reports that in the first half of 2007 some 90% of UK singles sales by volume were through mobile downloads to PCs and mobile handsets – a fact reflected by struggling high street music retailers.
Fifteen percent of households now own a digital video recorder and 78% of their owners say they now fast forward through commercials when watching recorded programmes. Ofcom also acknowledges the launch of internet-based on demand services from Channel 4, ITV and the BBC.
The combined audience share of the big five channels is greater on Freeview
(68%) than on cable and satellite platforms (49%). However, the downward trend is more pronounced on the DTT platform.
Nearly 450,000 homes now subscribe to high definition TV services – Broadband TV News is not confident of this figure – 43% claim to watch more television since taking HD services and 77% say they watch fewer hours of non-HD channels.
Bundled communications packages – the so-called triple play – are also beginning to make their mark. The 40% of households taking more than one communications service from a single provider is up by a third on last year.
Each person now consumes more than seven hours a day consuming media, though the actual time spent can be less, as some services are consumed simultaneously.