Smart TVs can now be found in 51 per cent of UK households according to figures from Ofcom.
In its annual Online Nation report, the organisation found the number of households with internet-connected smart TVs has seen a significant increase from 2019’s figure of 40 per cent.
The report found that overall the UK’s internet use has surged to record levels with adults now spending four hours 2 minutes a day online due to the impact of coronavirus. In September 2019 that figure was 3 hours 29 minutes; in comparison, on average, in September 2019 adults spent 3 hours 19 minutes watching TV on a TV set each day.
Research for this year’s report suggests that 90 per cent of adults and 98 per cent of children aged 8-15 who use the internet have used a video-sharing platform (VSP) in the past year.
A third of these adults said they spend more time watching videos on VSPs than watching live broadcast TV, rising to 57 per cent among 18-24 year olds.
According to Ofcom, TikTok reached 12.9 million UK adult visitors in April, up from 5.4 million in January, while Twitch saw visitors increase from 2.3 million to 4.2 million adults.
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s director of Strategy and Research, said: “Lockdown may leave a lasting digital legacy. The coronavirus has radically changed the way we live, work and communicate online, with millions of people using online video services for the first time.
“As the way we communicate evolves and people broaden their online horizons, our role is to help ensure that people have a positive experience, and that they’re safe and protected.”
