Major current TV viewing trends are not only about ratings erosion -- but about diverging viewer groups.
In a study by programmatic TV ad tech company TubeMogul, research shows that heaviest
viewers of broadcast network TV in 2007 are watching even more TV now --- and the lightest TV viewers are watching less.
The study says the average program rating of the heaviest TV viewers
was a 1.5 Nielsen 18-plus rating in 2015 versus 1.2% in 2007 -- a 26% increase. For those “light TV viewers,” the average rating is now a Nielsen 0.08. down from a 0.2 in 2007.
The
data comes fro ABC, CBS, CW, Fox and NBC programs across genres including drama, sports, comedy, reality and news/talk. The average 2007 and 2015 ratings are among adults 18 years and older in the top
TV quintile for consecutive broadcast network programs across all genres.
Looking at specific linear TV ratings per program, erosion continues at a
faster pace. For the 2014-2015 TV season, 74% of weekly broadcast shows saw their average rating drop by up to 1 point from the prior season. In 2007-2008 TV season, that number was 47%.
Millennials still watch a lot of TV -- as well as using other devices. But TubeMogul says they shouldn’t be put into one group. It says younger Millennials -- those 18-24s -- watch 16
hours and 18 minutes (16:18) a week of traditional TV, less than 25-34 year olds, who watch 23:26 a week.
Younger Millennials, however, watch more connected TV than older Millennials -- 6:12
to 5:56. Older Millennials spend more time with computers -- 10:50 a week versus those 18-24 who tally 6:33.