Almost half of Europe watch television programmes via the internet, according to new research.
A report from mobile company Motorola reveals 45 per cent of broadband users in Europe including UK, France and Germany, watch their favourite TV online.
Viewers prefer to watch TV online because of freedom of choice giving them the possibility to watch what they want when they want, the report said.
French TV addicts lead online TV viewing with 59 per cent watching their favourite shows via the web compared to 43 per cent of Brits.
"Viewers across Europe are no longer satisfied with fitting into schedules dictated by broadcasters and are turning to the choice and flexibility offered by TV over the internet," said Karl Elliott, marketing director at Motorola Connected Home Solutions.
The study, which was conducted amongst 2,500 broadband users, also revealed that 57 per cent of viewers want the ability to go online via the TV during a live broadcast while 35 per cent would like to be able to pause, rewind or fast forward live broadcasts.
Other findings reveal that 45 per cent of European viewers expect to be making video calls via their televisions by 2012.
Later this year, the BBC is to launch the iPlayer, which will let you watch programmes online for seven days after their first TV broadcast. UK residents are also to get the chance to access the BBC's vast archive of video and audio footage in a six-month trial to begin later this year
www.bbc.co.uk/tv
Topic: Online TV is a European hit (Read 541 times)