This is a scrapbook of ideas. One can hardly call it a blog, but I maintain it to file away thoughts I find interesting, like shiny pebbles.

Canadian Internet usage surpasses TV

An interesting piece of research came out this morning about habits of Canadian media users:

The average Canadian now spends more time on the Internet than watching television, according to a new survey from Ipsos Reid, a shift in digital habits that reflects the increasing prevalence of computers in our lives.

The findings in this study reinforce my previous calls for investment in better Internet access for Canadian users. Not only that, but this study really brings to light the inequality in traditional vs. digital media spending on behalf of advertisers and marketers. I don’t believe that traditional media is dead. However, this new data should pave the way for better and fair funding of commercial and non-profit initiatives online.

Canadians now spend more than 18 hours a week online, compared to just under 17 hours watching television.

Although those aged 55 and over were still more likely to spend a longer time watching TV than younger generations, Canadians as a whole were spending more time online for the first time, Ipsos said.

Read the rest of the article in the Globe and Mail

March 22nd, 2010 at 12:37 pm · Share

Evan

I don’t doubt it. Personally, I haven’t had cable or satellite in about two years. I find that too much useless and irrelevant advertising breaks up even the best programming, and that channels such as SpikeTV are proof of the coming Idiocracy.