Tablets Are OTT Territory

According to the Diffusion Group, despite the widening availability of TV Everywhere services, tablet owners are significantly more likely to use OTT service apps such as Netflix than those offered by both TV networks and operators. Some 48% of adult tablet owners surveyed report using OTT video apps on occasion, compared with 37% who use broadcast network apps, 31% who use cable network apps, and 23% who use TV operator apps.

The use of tablet apps for both free and fee-based online services is not only more widespread but occurs more frequently than the use of TV-specific apps. For example, 41% of tablet users engage OTT service apps at least once a month, compared to 26% who use apps from the "Big Four" broadcasters, 21% who use cable channel apps, and only 16% who turn to TV operator apps at least once a month.

The research house says tablet owners have embraced video apps rather than searching the Internet for video. However, uptake of service provider TV Everywhere apps has been disappointing: Only 23% of tablet owners report having used them during the past 12 months.