Assessing the Degree to Which Online Video Threatens Traditional Pay TV in the United States

Abstract

This IDC study presents results from IDC' s 2009 Consumer Internet Video Survey. Included in this study are results pertaining to Internet video' s potential impact on traditional pay TV services in the United States. In addition to survey results, this study provides IDC analysis on the pay TV value proposition, the ways in which pay TV may be vulnerable going forward, and recommendations on how to guard against those vulnerabilities.

"IDC survey data shows that few pay TV subscribers in the United States are actually considering dropping pay TV in light of increased availability of online video," says Greg Ireland, research manager for IDC' s Consumer Markets: Video program. "However, the low near- to midterm risk should not overshadow pay TV vulnerabilities and discourage steps to enhance pay TV service offerings."

Table of Contents

• IDC Opinion
• In This Study
• Methodology
• Situation Overview
• Future Outlook
• Essential Guidance
• Learn More
• Related Research
• Synopsis
• Table: Plans to Discontinue Pay TV Services
• Table: Likelihood of Discontinuing Channel Packages
• Table: Internet Video' s Impact on Time Spent Watching TV
• Table: Time Spent Watching Online Video
• Table: Time Spent Watching TV