July 29, 2013

2 min read

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

Netflix subscribers still watching just as much boob tube

(Credit: Netflix) Netflix has big aspirations for its original television series , but a study Monday said that so far, the company's new content isn't making a big difference in how much television people watch on the 28 most-watched networks.

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

Netflix has big aspirations for its original television series, but a study Monday said that so far, the company's new content isn't making a big difference in how much television people watch on the 28 most-watched networks.

Related stories

Looking at traditional TV tuning behaviors of self-identified Netflix subscribers, TiVo Research and Analytics found that the amount of viewing was basically the same as non-Netflix households. The survey took place in May, after Netflix's first major original series -- "House of Cards -- had been out for months. Its gothic horror followup "Hemlock Grove" had debuted the month before, but the survey took place largely before "Arrested Development" aired. The revival of the Fox comedy debuted May 26.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

"Our data show that Netflix is not currently a substitute for traditional television, but offers a way for TV lovers to watch more of the kinds of programs they love," said Mark Lieberman, chief of the TiVo research unit.

That should be welcome news to programmers and Netflix alike. The streaming site's push into original content raised concerns about competing against the content creators it relies on for the bulk of its library. But at this early stage, and while attempts at original content are still nascent from the likes of Amazon and Hulu, it seems as though traditional TV has little to fear about its audience evacuating online en masse.

Of the nearly 10,000 TiVo subscribers surveyed, 57 percent said they subscribe to Netflix. Half said they also subscribe to Amazon Prime, which is in the process of rolling out original series for its Instant Video service.

Netflix has been modeling its originals strategy after the likes of HBO, so it isn't surprising households that subscribe are heavier viewers of premium dramas in the vein of "House of Cards." Tivo's survey found viewers of that show watched 85 percent more HBO and were more than double as likely to watch Showtime's "Homeland," last year's winner of the outstanding drama series Emmy.

(Via Deadline New York)

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe