• August 17, 2000

Showtime Networks Inc., has released the findings from its fourth comprehensive study on simultaneous usage of television and the Internet, which conclude that there are approximately 25 million households that simultaneously use online services and watch television - a 39% increase in online/TV co-usage from January 1999 to January 2000.

The study found that there are 55 million households in the U.S. that own at least one personal computer. This is an increase of 22% from January 1999. Additionally, online penetration jumped to 45 million households, an increase of 36%. With more households online, convergent homes went from 18 million up to 25 million. Research shows that interest is still high in joining the PC/online world, especially among premium television subscribers. In fact, 51% of premium television subscribers that currently do not own a PC plan to buy one within the year.

Teens are more likely than adults to simultaneously be online while watching TV. In fact, 48% of teens are simultaneous users. Adults ages 18-49 fall in the 30% range, while only 15% of adults over 50 are co-users.

Showtime found that Co-usage occurs most often among three programming types: news (31%), sitcoms (30%), and sports (30%).