Redback Networks Inc., an Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) company that makes video-centric routers for 75 percent of the world’s largest triple-play networks, today announced the results of a nationwide survey in the United Kingdom, measuring the popularity of on-demand TV and Internet video.

In a survey of 2168 online adults, the Redback sponsored research showed that more than half of UK residents (57%) watch up to 10 hours or more of on-demand TV or recorded TV each week.  This is TV that either supplements or replaces broadcast TV viewing.  The same survey also found that women watched more on-demand or recorded TV than men (58% vs. 55%).  Seniors (55+) and young adults (18-24) watched the most on-demand or recorded TV (60%); 25-34 year-olds watched the least (51%).

The most common methods for recording programmes in the UK were Sky+ (22%), personal video recorders, and VHS machines (27%).On demand services are also used for later recorded viewing. 11% use On demand TV services, whilst 16% use internet catch up services, such as the BBC iPlayer.

The survey, carried out by YouGov on behalf of Redback Networks, looked at the changing habits of TV viewers across the UK.  The survey also examined today’s consumer habits across different media platforms and devices including TVs, PCs and mobile phones.

The primary findings of the survey were:

oMore than half (57%) of all UK residents ‘time-shift’ their TV viewing, using on-demand TV services or recording live television for viewing later 
oOf the 57% who time-shift content, about one-third watch at least three hours of on-demand TV per week.
oAbout half of online UK residents (48%) have watched video or TV on the Internet, with the vast majority using Internet-based TV services for on-demand viewing (70%)
oOf that 48%, 22% have watched Internet TV or video over the past 7 days

"While the good old VHS recorder has created audience demand for time-shifted TV programmes, it is new game-changing Internet video services such as the BBC iPlayer which are reshaping how carriers upgrade their networks over time," said Philip Wilton, Director of Sales and Operations in the UK for Redback Networks.  "This growth of video over broadband is reflected in what also we're back hearing from our service provider customers, with HTTP streaming traffic now outstripping P2P for downloading video content.  Where Internet video was just about sharing content via P2P networks, it’s now moved into the mainstream with viewers able to consume time shifted content direct from content provider, placing new strains on the network and the traffic it supports."

The survey also found that Internet TV and video are quickly becoming established as regular channels for consuming video content, changing the viewing habits and experience for a new generation of viewers. 

Of those who have watched Internet TV or video, the survey found that:

oUK residents expressed a clear preference for better Internet video content (56%), better Internet TV quality (47%), and the desire to watch more Internet video on TV rather than the computer (38 percent)
oMost people watch Internet TV or video in their home office or study (68%), followed by a communal room at home (39%) and then at work (20%)[1]
oThe biggest drivers which would encourage more people to watch Internet TV or video are; more free content available (56%), quality of picture (47%) and the ability to watch Internet video on a TV screen, rather than a computer (38%)
oIn terms of content, news (24%), entertainment (27%) and short videos (42%) are the most popular type of content to watch on computer rather than on TV
oAnd just 9% of people use their mobile phone or PDA to watch Internet TV or video.

The complete study is available to review at www.redback.com

Redback SmartEdge® Multi-Service Edge Routers (MSER) enable service providers to deliver multi-play services over IP networks.  Carriers who have deployed SmartEdge for triple-play services include AT&T, British Telecom, China Telecom, China Netcom, ChungHwa Telecom (Taiwan), Deutsche Telekom, eAccess (Japan), France Telecom, Korea Telecom, Telefonica, and Turk Telecom, among the more than 200 carriers worldwide.

[1] Multiple responses allowed per user.