Viewers Change Channels Research has uncovered new insights into the ways in which people change television channels. Recent studies have found that people change channels an average of once every 30 minutes. Not surprisingly, younger viewers and people who use a remote control change more often than that. When television is boring, people change the channel, even if they have a positive reaction to the program that bores them. If television is emotionally engaging, they do not switch channels, even while watching programming that makes them angry, fearful or worried.
People still use traditional media, but they find news from the new media credible and useful.
The utility, convenience and timeliness of news will be the key to winning viewers in the digital age. Additional live coverage of local news and sports on a separate DTV news channel might also appeal to viewers. Newsrooms may well become communications resource centers that spin out a constant stream of news and information, some in the form of personality-driven programming designed to maintain a relationship with the audience, and some as utility programming that serves the viewers' immediate and specific information needs. The trick will be to remain a relevant and compelling resource in the multichannel, digital world. The service is based on a set-top box that allows viewers to watch television and surf the Web simultaneously using a screen within the screen.