The use of audio-visual media in Germany has increased for the second year in a row in 2021 after the beginning of the Corona pandemic and has reached a new record level.
For the first time, 14+ year olds in Germany spent an average of 10 hours per day consuming audio-visual media. Compared to the previous year, daily use of TV, radio, internet and other media increased by 13 minutes (2020: 9 hours and 47 minutes) – compared to pre-crisis use in 2019 by as much as 54 minutes (2019: 9 hours and 6 minutes).
Online video, radio and video games were the main beneficiaries. Overall, radio and TV remain by far the most used media genres. This is the result of the new media usage study 2021 released by VAUNET.
“The increase in use during the pandemic years by almost an hour per day reflects the high demand for reliable orientation, information and entertainment. It shows the enormously high relevance of audio and audio-visual media for the population and society,” VAUNET Managing Director Frank Giersberg said in Berlin.
“At the same time, the Corona pandemic has confronted private media companies with major economic challenges. Securing their funding bases and thus diversity in the media sector is therefore a key media policy task for the coming years,” added Giersberg.
