Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Americans Watch TV, Go Online More Than Ever

Simultaneous use of Internet and TV up, studies show

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 11, 2009 5:09 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – More Americans are vegging in front of the TV and relaxing online these days, the Chicago Tribune reports. While most Americans use the Internet to keep up with the latest economic news, about 74% of that group also go online to chill out. Meanwhile, the average American is watching a record 141 hours of TV monthly, in an age when TVs outnumber residents in the average home.

"There's plenty of opportunity for people to watch television anywhere, anytime," says Nielsen spokesman Gary Holmes. With laptops and smart phones handy, 57% of Americans also watch TV while perusing the web at least once a month. "The reason that more people are consuming more media is that they have more opportunity to do so," Holmes says.

In this Aug. 6, 2009 file photo, college student Joy Troy checks a twitter page at the Annenberg School of Communication department at the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles.
In this Aug. 6, 2009 file photo, college student Joy Troy checks a twitter page at the Annenberg School of Communication department at the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File)
A customer looks over large screen televisions at a Costco store Tuesday, March 24, 2009.
A customer looks over large screen televisions at a Costco store Tuesday, March 24, 2009.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Sal Spaltro, with Albert Fried & Co., watches at a television monitor as the Fed Interest Rate is announced, at New York Stock Exchange Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009.
Sal Spaltro, with Albert Fried & Co., watches at a television monitor as the Fed Interest Rate is announced, at New York Stock Exchange Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2009.   (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Steven Rissi, left, store supervisor, makes a television sale to customers at the Ahwatukee Best Buy retail store Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in Phoenix, Ariz.
Steven Rissi, left, store supervisor, makes a television sale to customers at the Ahwatukee Best Buy retail store Wednesday, April 4, 2007 in Phoenix, Ariz.   (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

 
entertainment • television • Internet • online

More Newser Stories

Houston Seemed to Predict Own Death

How to Fix the Oscars: Institute a Live Re-Vote

Chris Brown: Suck it, Haters, I Got a Grammy

Cindy Crawford: Don't Photoshop My Mole

Stewart Floored By Fox's Rape Apologist
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne