COVID-19 DRIVES A 24% INCREASE IN GLOBAL LINEAR TV CONSUMPTION

According to data from digital TV integrated software solutions provider Mirada, worldwide linear TV consumption has increased by almost a quarter during the ongoing global pandemic. ​“Many of our customers around the world implemented solidarity initiatives to keep their subscribers entertained at home as lockdowns were announced across their territories,” Jose Luis Vazquez, CEO of Mirada, said. “This included opening up premium linear channels and offering more free kids and news channels, adding more content to their on-demand services and even providing generous discounts on premium content services.”

According to new research from Mirada’s data analytics platform LogIQ, there has been an “unprecedented rise in worldwide TV content consumption” over the past several months. The company assessed its customers’ pay-TV services including Izzi Telecom in Mexico and One Communications in Bermuda. Mirada’s findings compare consumption across its customers’ pay-TV services before and during the coronavirus crisis in the territories in which they operate, from 1st February 2020 to 30th April 2020.

The study noted that total linear TV consumption increased by 24%, with an 18% increase in average linear consumption between Monday and Friday. Consumption of news channels has escalated by over 80% during the period. Mirada says “TV operators might only expect to see a monthly variation in consumption of around 2%.” The firm also assessed VOD consumption across pay-TV operators’ platforms, which increased by 41%, with a 32% increase in VOD consumption between Monday and Friday.

Consumption of children’s content, in particular, has grown by 56%, with 79% during weekdays. Children’s VoD content consumed on a tablet device increased by 122%. Users are also more receptive to TVOD, with many film distributors opting to offer their current releases this way while cinemas are shut. Purchases of one-off items of TVOD content has jumped by 48%. “We are delighted the data confirms the success of the initiatives taken by our customers, offering people more access to a variety of entertainment, which hopefully gives a welcome reprieve from the challenges of living in lockdown,"  Vazquez said.