Digital TV News

Is Britain becoming a nation of ‘couch surfers’?

Tuesday 15 November, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Over half of Brits are eager to try web TV services.

The UK’s digital telly fans have a growing appetite for internet-based TV services.

A survey of nearly 600 Brits by ISPreview.co.uk, found that over half of us are keen to get our hands on web TV technology.

In fact, while around 42% said they were not even curious, more than a quarter showed “average” levels of interest and nearly 30% claimed to be “very interested” in broadband television services - which deliver digital content via a home internet connection.

These findings support recent reports that BT Vision, a hybrid digital and internet TV service, is now the “fastest growing pay-TV service” in the UK. The telecoms giant added 41,000 new households to its BT Vision customer base between July and September alone.

Growing interest is also good news for the numerous internet service providers (ISPs) planning new web TV services in the near future. However, tech website ISPreview.co.uk warned people may need better broadband to get the most out of internet TV (IPTV).

It said: “Any new IPTV product is bound to require a good internet connection, which is something that a significant portion of consumers simply do not have. The good news is that the country's broadband infrastructure is on a path of improvement but there's still a long way to go.”

The survey also revealed what UK households are looking for in a broadband TV service. While around 28% said decent content was a priority, almost 36% were more concerned with getting web TV products at an affordable price.

In October, it was announced that Netflix, the world’s leading internet subscription service for movies and TV shows, would be launching in the UK and Ireland from early 2012.

For a monthly fee, Netflix will allow members to watch films and television programmes over the internet on computers, mobiles and internet-ready TV sets.

Photo by David Berkowitz