May 6, 2024, 6:08 am | Read time: 4 minutes
What do Germans use their modern TV sets for? Despite many new possibilities, one activity remains unbeaten according to a new survey.
Nowadays, almost everything can be networked and connected to the Internet. Modern TV sets are no exception and are all currently “smart.” This opens up many new usage possibilities thanks to the use of apps. But how do people in Germany prefer to use their screens–for streaming or linear television? A new survey provides insight.
Streaming or Linear TV–How Germany Uses Its TV Sets
In recent years, services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Disney+ have begun an unprecedented triumph, which continues despite various obstacles such as subscription price increases. Against this backdrop, one might get the impression that everyone has jumped on the VoD bandwagon. In fact, the ratio between streaming and linear TV on TV sets in this country might surprise you.
The result of a new representative survey shows that 41 percent of respondents use the linear TV program daily, tuning in at fixed broadcast times. Sixty-seven percent watch a show on traditional TV at least once a week on their television. This type of broadcasting is clearly ahead of all other uses for the TV set–including streaming.
Significant Differences Among Various Age Groups
However, when the survey results are broken down into individual age groups, a much more differentiated picture emerges. While linear TV may be overall favored by the German population, this is not the case for those aged 18 to 24.
In this cohort, only 7 percent watch the ongoing program daily, and only 38 percent at least once a week. In the 55+ group, however, 61 percent watch daily and 80 percent once or more per week.
Also interesting: Cable, DVB-T2, Satellite, or IPTV–The Best TV Connection
Why Many Germans Are Spending Less Time Online
Laptop, TV, smartphone, or tablet–which device is most commonly used for streaming?
Streaming Services Popular Among Younger People
Even if the dominance of linear TV over streaming might be surprising, paid platforms like Netflix or Disney+ are still very popular. Nearly half of all respondents said they use a streaming service at least once a week. But only 17 percent watch daily.
The 18 to 24-year-olds show a stronger affinity for modern technologies: 58 percent of them stream at least once a week, 24 percent even daily.
Lagging behind are broadcaster media libraries (21 percent watch once a week, 6 percent daily) and pay-TV offerings like Sky or DAZN, which function both linearly and on demand (14 percent weekly, 3 percent daily usage). Among the media libraries, the 35 to 44-year-olds stand out with 41 percent using the offerings at least weekly.
Eighteen percent of all respondents watch recorded shows on their TV at least weekly, while 14 percent use it purely as a screen–for example, as a display for Blu-rays or video games.
Most Have Only One Streaming Subscription
According to the survey, 40 percent of those who use streaming or pay-TV have only one subscription. Twenty-eight percent have two, and 19 percent of respondents have even three or more subscriptions. Forty-eight percent, and thus almost half of the people, have monthly costs of more than 20 euros. Twenty-three percent, on the other hand, live quite frugally and keep costs under 10 euros.
Instead of streaming, linear TV remains the most popular in Germany–at least on the TV set. However, the younger generation prefers to watch content on their own terms and is willing to pay for it. The question arises whether these people are also lost to the linear TV offering in the long term or not.
The survey was conducted on behalf of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics with more than 2,000 participants aged 18 and over. It only covers the use of home TV sets and does not consider tablets, computers, or smartphones. Shareholders of gfu include well-known technology manufacturers such as Loewe, Beko, Miele, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, and Sony.