“Despite all of the challenges of this past year, this study has illustrated the power of entertainment in bringing us together with those that are most important to us,” said
The survey, in partnership with
The Power of Entertainment as a Shared Experience
One thing that remains clear during this year – the importance of human connection. Given the limitations of in-person experiences, society has shifted to new, virtual-first ways of connecting with friends and family when watching entertainment.
- 86% of global respondents connected with family and friends virtually while enjoying entertainment together over the last six months. This included activities like talking on the phone while watching the same content (45% of global respondents), texting while watching the same content (44%), video chatting while watching the same content (43%), as well as engaging in live chats while watching streaming videos (41%).
° For a significant majority of people, within the last six months was the first time they have ever participated in virtual shared experiences while enjoying entertainment - with 87% of respondents noting this was their first time.
Consumers Desire Better Audiovisual Experiences and are Willing to Pay
Led by Gen Z and Millennials, consumers are spending more than ever on entertainment, which is fueled by the desire for human connection. People are also willing to spend more on premium subscriptions in order to receive a better quality experience.
- Consumer spending on content has increased in the last six months and is led by Gen Z and Millennials globally, with Millennials in the
U.S. increasing spending by an average of 38%. - Most global consumers have increased how much they spent on content since the start of the year, including 55% in
France , 72% in the US, 94% inChina , and 97% inIndia . - With this increase in spending, consumers are willing to pay more for a premium subscription to receive enhanced audiovisual experiences with 77% of total respondents indicating they would pay more for better picture or sound quality because it impacts how they connect with content.
- In fact, 64% of respondents stated they had upgraded at least one streaming service to a premium subscription within the past six months.
- The top reasons driving demand for content include the desire to use entertainment as an opportunity to relax (62%), the social experience of watching with others (44%), and escapism from current events (33%).
Homes Are About to Get an Upgrade
Consumer investment in better quality experiences doesn’t stop at content, with respondents in all countries indicating that they plan to purchase new devices in the next six months to upgrade their entertainment viewing experience. While plans to upgrade traditional home entertainment devices remain strong, consumers are also planning to upgrade their mobile viewing experience which is fueled by a majority of consumers who used their smartphone, tablet, or PC as their primary device for consuming entertainment over the past few months.
- 82% of respondents plan to purchase a new device to upgrade their entertainment viewing experience in the next six months.
- 64% plan to purchase a device specifically to upgrade their living room entertainment experience (including a new TV, soundbar, home theater speakers, receiver, or streaming device).
° Millennials are the most likely to make a living room upgrade at 73%, compared to 68% of Gen Xers, 58% of Gen Zers, and 50% of Boomers.
° More than 4 in 5 (81%) of those who have paid to upgrade their streaming services to premium also plan to improve their living room entertainment experience.
- While we have more devices than ever, television still plays a huge role – particularly with older generations. This is true in every market, but particularly in the
U.S. , where 65% of Boomers say that television is their primary entertainment device; 52% of French Boomers say the same. - 60% of total respondents used their smartphone, tablet, or PC as their primary device for entertainment over the past six months and 44% of total respondents indicated that they plan to upgrade their mobile device in the next six months to improve their viewing experience.
At
As this survey shows, the drive for better experiences doesn’t stop at devices. Content adoption is also growing rapidly, completing the ecosystem that we have been building through global partnerships with leading streaming services that continue to release their top shows and films in
“Ultimately, we expect the desire for more human connection to continue in the future and immersive experiences can help fulfill this demand,” added
Survey Methodology
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Source:
2020 GlobeNewswire, Inc., source