TV Antenna Usage Rose as Viewers Turned to Free Local OTA Channels, Says Parks
TV antenna usage in U.S. broadband households rose to 25% in 2019, from 15% last year, and is expected to grow more as COVID-19 keeps consumers at home, reported Parks Associates Thursday. Households that watch over-the-air channels watch more video…
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overall than average broadband households, it said. “Local broadcast channels are the most preferred channel types, and news is the most preferred broadcast content,” said analyst Steve Nason. Antenna usage is growing as households look to meet those needs; shelter-in-place orders are expected to boost those numbers as households “look for inexpensive content options to offset lost wages.” Some 78% of households surveyed in Q3 watch live TV channels, he said. About half of antenna users don’t subscriber to a pay-TV service, traditional or over the-top.