• by Erik Sass , Staff Writer @eriksass1, July 22, 2015

As recently as five years ago mobile video was a niche medium at best, but it’s now mainstream. Over half of the global population is watching video content on their smartphones and tablets, according to the latest Consumer Entertainment Index from Arris, based on a survey of 19,000 consumers in 19 (mostly developed) countries around the world.

Overall, 59% of consumers worldwide say they watch mobile video, including a whopping 72% of Millennials ages 16 to 24, 53% in the 45-54 cohort, and 42% of the 55-64 cohort. Older folks are also getting into the act, with 30% of adults ages 65 and up around the world reporting they use mobile devices to watch video, up from 19% last year. Among adults ages 25-34, 21% watch mobile TV daily, and 57% watch at least once a week.

Interestingly, the CEI found that many consumers prefer downloading to streaming -- perhaps because some countries still have spotty coverage, making it difficult to watch streaming video on the go. In fact, 63% of consumers said they encounter problems with WiFi access at home. Among those who stream video, 81% do it at least once a week compared to 72% last year, and 73% do it via WiFi. The average household now spends around 6.5 hours a week with a streaming subscription video service.

Mobile and cable operators are certainly looking to cash in on mobile video, including advertising. In this country Verizon has revealed plans for a new ad-supported mobile video service set to begin rolling out some time in late summer, developed at least partly to fend off competition from smaller rivals like T-Mobile and Sprint.

Last week Verizon struck a deal with Vice Media to bring Vice video to Verizon’s new mobile video platform. The multi-year agreement gives Verizon access to original domestic and international programming produced exclusively for Verizon across various categories, including culture, food, travel and technology. Also included in the deal is the new Vice original interview series “Autobiographies,” which profiles famous figures from the worlds of music, entertainment and elsewhere.