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(29-11-07) -Increasing numbers of people are streaming and downloading music and video content according to new research.
A survey, conducted by Olswang, a law firm, and in conjunction with YouGov showed that 30 per cent of internet users are now streaming or downloading TV programmes, movies and music.
Free content such as that already available on websites such as YouTube proved the most popular, with 63 per cent of people watching clips. Streaming music and downloading podcasts proved the next most popular activities with 42 per cent and 33 per cent respectively.
Unsurprisingly, the research showed that free content was far more popular than paid-for footage, with free TV, music and video being consumed by three times more people than pay-per-view over the internet.
The research also covered illegal downloading and found that a degree of consumer confusion existed. It found that while "75 per cent of respondents recognise that downloading music from an unofficial file sharing site to a computer is illegal," people are uncertain of the law once they have a disc in their hand, or a track on their computer, and "only 33 per cent believe taking the content from a DVD and putting it onto a computer ('ripping') is unlawful. Once on the computer, only 26 per cent believe copying that content to a portable device is illegal".
However, in most cases these activities are currently illegal in the UK, at least in theory, although the Government is currently considering whether to introduce a "format shifting" exception to the law.
It also found that 71 per cent of people believe that once they have bought a CD or DVD, they should have the "freedom to transfer that content between all of their personal devices".
Finally, it found that Video-on-Demand (VoD) was yet the match the popularity of streaming and downloading.
Despite the launch of the BBC's iPlayer, as well as similar services from Channel 4, ITV and Sky (www.Sky.com), only 17 per cent of respondents were already using VoD technology. A quarter of people did express an interest in it, but 29 per cent cited having enough choice already, an unwillingness to pay more for content and the fact that they're happy to watch television at the scheduled time, as reasons why they're not interested in VoD.
Michael Phillips, BroadbandChoices.co.uk product director, said: "Although VoD is still lagging behind streaming and downloading, as free services such as Channel 4's 4oD and the BBC iPlayer become more popular, internet television will put an even bigger strain on ISP networks, and no doubt more traffic management will be implemented.
"The rollout of BT's 21 Century Network (21CN) next year, which will allow speeds of up to 24Mb, will help to ease broadband traffic problems. But we don't know what new, bandwidth-hungry applications will have been developed by the time the 21CN is completed in a few year's time, and more solutions will have to be explored."
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