• by Wayne Friedman , January 4, 2012

Against all media and entertainment services, U.S. consumers consider cable TV and satellite TV programming services the most valuable.

According to Deloitte’s sixth annual edition of the “State of the Media Democracy," the survey says 44% have DVR capability. That means a growing business for cable and satellite companies to sign up millions of other U.S. media consumers.

“This represents a potential opportunity for cable and satellite TV providers,” stated Phil Asmundson, vice chairman and U.S. media and telecommunications sector leader, Deloitte LLP. He called the DVR an "underutilized service" that could potentially "serve as a value-add for new and existing subscribers at minimal cost to cable and satellite TV companies.”

The annual survey looked at media consumption preferences of nearly 2,000 consumers, ages 14 to 75.

But at the same time, Deloitte noted that 9% of people have already cut the cord. Plus, 11% are considering doing so "because they can watch almost all of their favorite shows online."

Also, 42% of U.S. consumers report streaming a movie -- up from 28% in 2009. Streaming a movie as their "favorite way" to watch rose from 4% to 14% in 2009. Deloitte now says those who have not viewed a movie available for purchase or rental during the past six months were at 19% in 2011, down from 37% in 2007.

Other media: Regarding eBook consumers, 36% of respondents preferred to download their books, magazines and newspapers to a digital device in 2011 -- up from 23% in 2007.

The number of homes owning smartphones jumped from 25% in 2009 to 42% in 2011. Newspapers have benefited from the technology:  20% of those between ages 23 and 28 have read a newspaper in the last six months on a smartphone -- up from 9% last year.