Social Media Driving Viewers to Television

Approximately 25 percent of TV viewers reported being more aware of TV programs due to their social media interactions in a year-over-year comparison from 2012 to 2013, according to a study recently released by Nielsen. In 2013, 15 percent of viewers said they enjoyed watching television more when social media was involved. As for actual viewing, 11 percent said they watched more live TV, and 12 percent said they recorded more programs in 2013. The average adult watches 5 hours and 10 minutes of live TV and 34 minutes of time-shifted TV per day.

Among Americans 13 and older, over two-thirds of tablet users and half of smartphone users said surfing the web was the number one activity they choose to do while watching their favorite programs. Over 40 percent of tablet owners said shopping or looking up actors, plots athletes were top activities they did while watching TV. In addition, 29 percent of smartphone owners said they emailed or texted friends about a program and 27 percent said they checked sports scores.