Nielsen finds that 80 percent of TV viewing still in standard definition

80% Of TV Viewing Still In Standard Definition [Broadband Reports]

Just when HDTV's have finally crossed the threshold of majority status in American households, Nielsen brings everything down to earth with a report that indicates that 80 percent of all television viewing still happens in standard definition. Nielsen reports that 56 percent of American homes now have at least one high definition television, making it one of the most quickly adopted technologies of the past two decades. But, it's still not the screen most of us turn to when we watch television.

Nielsen found that only 13 percent of total viewing on cable and 19 percent of broadcast is on an HD screen. 

How is that possible, you ask? There are a number of factors. First, 44 percent of homes still only have SD sets. That means those households are watching 100 percent SD. In the homes with at least one HD set, at least one-third of viewing still happens on another TV in SD. And on that HDTV, around 20 percent of viewing occurs on channels that are not in HD. Total those factors, and fully 80 percent of viewing remains the standard definition that we've had for the past 60+ years.

Not to mention how often I walk into the living room and see my wife watching an SD version of a channel that is also available in HD.  I understand that's something that happens in many, many US households.  My own totally unscientific opinion on advanced digital television is that women are much more interested in time shifting and ad skipping while men are more focused on HD.

Comments

[Jlspring]

I find it horribly annoying to watch SD on a wide screen HDTV. I wish Insight would offer a HD only package, and I wish the TV stations would get on board and make sure all of their programming is in HD.

[Jlspring]

Mom mom actually has a problem with this. Last I checked she had her TV set to stretch the picture. I think she just doesn't want to relearn the new channel numbers in the 900s. The important thing is she thinks she's watching HD.

[guru2121]

another reason for these findings are that 80% of the channels offered are standard definition channels. For instance, Insight only offers around 50+ HD channels. Well on my box, 1 - 899 channels are standard definition. So, of course there is going to be less HD viewing. Duh!!