Americans Watch TV, Go Online More Than Ever

Americans are more and more likely to have watched shows online

(NEWSER) - More and more Americans are watching television exclusively online and ditching their cable or satellite service. One-quarter of families have tuned in online, and 25% of those viewers have watched a full-length show on a computer—a 67% jump just since 2007. “The idea that you come home and your entertainment choices are dictated on what some entertainment channel decides is not for me,” a tech-savvy early adapter tells the Los Angeles Times. More»

It's first time Internet has caught up; average is 13 hours a week

(NEWSER) - The Internet is officially as popular as TV: In a first, Americans spent the same amount of time online (an average of 13 hours a week) as they did watching television this year, says a new report on consumer habits. Email remains the most popular online activity, with 92% of Internet users holding an active account. Other findings: 60% of users shop online, about double the percentage of three years ago, and 35% log on to visit a social networking site, up from 17%, reports the Los Angeles Times . More»

Do you know when you're being sold something?

(NEWSER) - You can tell when you’re watching a commercial, right? Not at all, writes NE Marsden , and that’s a huge problem. A new FTC measure seeks to expose the practice of paid consideration—“stealth advertising” is a better phrase—online by requiring bloggers and marketers to disclose remuneration, but that hasn’t worked too well on TV. You didn’t know producers have to disclose product placement on TV? Exactly. More»

News Corp. talks subscription model; paywall unlikely

(NEWSER) - The days of free TV shows on Hulu are likely ending: A News Corp. exec says “it’s time to start getting paid for broadcast content online,” adding that “Hulu concurs with that.” Asked by Broadcasting & Cable what exactly that means, Chase Carey was vague: No timeline, but 2010 is likely; a paywall is not the answer; and a mobile version of the site is a potential moneymaker, as are Hulu-only TV previews. More»

(NEWSER) - Fans of Michael Jackson are pushing for a Nobel Peace Prize nod for the late pop star. 12,000 have signed various online petitions putting the singer up for the honor because of his “lifelong dedication to the well-being of humanity,” and one organizer hopes for 100,000 signatures. However, Sky News notes, Nobel nominations are decided by a select few, not the public. More»