US surfers take to web and mobile video

The average American is watching more online and mobile video than ever before, new research reveals.

The latest figures from Nielsen suggest that US consumers are spending nine per cent more time online (26 hours 26 minutes a month) compared with last year.

At the same time, a small but growing number of internet and mobile phone users are watching video online (2 hours 19 minutes a month), as well as using their mobile phones to watch video (3 hours 15 minutes a month).

The research firm reported that the US television landscape is growing increasingly more complex and digital, and that more than 65 per cent of US homes now receive digital cable and satellite combined.

These digital TV homes receive nearly 160 channels, while 25 per cent and 35 per cent of US homes have DVR and video-on-demand respectively.

"Commercial television is alive and well, growing one per cent year over year despite the rapid adoption of other platforms," said John Burbank, chief marketing officer at Nielsen.

The firm estimates that 220 million Americans have internet access at home and/or work, and that 73 per cent, or 162 million, went online in May.

Watching video on the internet is no longer a novelty; 119 million unique viewers viewed 7.5 billion video streams in May 2008.

"Web video is changing the definition of the internet for those under the age of 24 who use the internet less than older users but spend a greater percentage of time viewing video," said Burbank.