UPDATED!
Arlington,
Va. – Only 8 percent of Americans receive TV programming via over-the-air
broadcasts, a recent Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) study found.
The survey of
1,256 adults conducted in December 2010 noted that over-the-air viewing has
declined steadily since 2005.
CEA used the
report to call for a reduction in the amount of spectrum allocated to TV
broadcasters.
The survey asked
if those who use a pay-TV service would abandon it for over-the-air broadcasts
or Internet video. Seventy-six percent said they would not consider doing so,
but 10 percent were likely or very likely to cut their cable.
The report
indicated more people were viewing Internet content on their TVs, but mobile
devices are starting to gain in popularity as video-watching platforms. No
numbers were given in these cases.
“Over-the-air TV
was once the defining distribution platform,” said Gary Shapiro, CEA president
and CEO. “But using huge swaths of wireless spectrum to deliver TV to homes no
longer makes economic sense. Congress should pass legislation to allow for
incentive auctions so free market dynamics can find the best purposes for
underused broadcast spectrum, such as wireless broadband.”
