More people are choosing to go online instead of watching television.

A study by the University of California has shown that the internet is fast eclipsing TV as the primary medium for entertainment and information, in a pattern identical to when TV replaced radio.

Internet users watched an average of 4.8 fewer hours of TV each week than non-users, the study found.

And it said that the decline in TV viewing hours grew more dramatic as internet users gained online experience. Internet 'veterans' watched about 5.8 fewer hours of TV than non-users.

According to the San Jose Mercury News, the study found that more than 70 per cent of US citizens spend an average of 11.1 hours online a week - up from 9.8 hours a year ago - checking email, reading news and doing research for work or school.

At the same time, television viewing among internet users fell from an average of 12.3 hours a week to 11.2 hours.