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Online video continues to rise

Viewing figures for online video and TV catch-up services have significantly increased over the past 12 months, according to an Ofcom report

Viewing figures for online video and TV catch-up services have significantly increased over the past 12 months, according to an Ofcom report.

The report, ‘On-demand and online research: consumption and concerns’, found that since 2014, online viewing amongst adults has increased from 71 per cent to 74 per cent. There is a strong correlation between usage levels and age, with the highest usage levels observed among younger age groups.

Online video is now verging upon universal amongst 16-24 year olds, with 96 per cent now using the services. In contrast, only 35 per cent of over 65s take advantage of online video.

BBC iPlayer, All 4 and ITV Player are the most popular catch-up services, closely followed by YouTube and social networking video.

The report also revealed that TV catch-up services are watched by 57 per cent of all UK adults. Short-form content posted on social networking sites (51 per cent) and YouTube (45 per cent) are the next most commonly viewed types of content, viewed by around half of all UK adults.

While TV catch-up services are viewed by greater numbers of people, content posted on social networking sites and YouTube are viewed with ‘greater levels of frequency’.

By comparison, use of long-form services is relatively low. Sixteen per cent use online rental, whilst 15 per cent use paid-for VoD and/or paid-for content from online stores.

Further viewing increases included a rise from 73 per cent to 77 per cent for all males, 69 per cent to 76 per cent among 45-54 year olds, 61 per cent to 68 per cent among 55-64 year olds, as well as a rise from 64 per cent to 70 per cent for non-parents.