It’s not much of a secret that while TV viewership is going up, so is the fragmented attention span as more people surf the web, do email and make other uses of their PCs, laptops and mobile devices as they sit in front of the television. In-Stat has some new stats on the topic that found the following:

• 33% of all male respondents, across age groups, reported that they are sometimes using a personal computer simultaneously while watching TV.
• Among some male age groups the behavior was as high as 50%.
• 25% of female respondents reported using a PC while watching TV.
• One-fifth of all respondents reported doing instant messaging while watching TV

The survey also found some potential weakness with about 15% of US respondents intend to cut back spending on subscription-TV, broadband, and mobile services in response to economic pressures. 15% may actually be low and we are curious if a larger percentage increases spending as they cocoon (spend more time with home entertainment instead of going out).

It shows that the measurement systems and mentality are still behind the reality.  The reality is that people watch on the screen they choose (some probably watched on their phones as well).  But the system report the results, and compare records, by screen which does not give the whole story.  The whole story is that Obama broke records for viewers overall.  Now we just need a measurement system to match up to the reality.

Of course, it also open up the box to the porn market via CinemaNow’s not-exactly-safe-for-work adult section.   Adult content often drives early adopter media device and ecommerce model sales.  It’s been a big part of CinemaNow’s success (read here) and it may be one of the keys to getting more usage of streaming movie boxes.

http://valleywag.gawker.com/348685/microsoft-cisco-and-lionsgate-are-pornographers

(disclosure: the author sometimes does work for an LG competitor)

Here’s the full release:

LG Electronics Announces New Streaming Content Partners for Its Network Blu-ray Disc Players

LG to Offer Consumers Unparalleled Access to Streaming Entertainment from CinemaNow, YouTube and Netflix

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics today announced the expansion of network entertainment options for its Network Blu-ray Disc players through new alliances with CinemaNow and YouTube(TM).

Available on new LG Network Blu-ray Disc Players in the first half of 2009, these new services complement LG’s instant streaming from Netflix and advanced Blu-ray capabilities to deliver consumers an exceptional entertainment experience. (In 2008, LG was the world’s first manufacturer to stream movies instantly from Netflix on a Network Blu-ray Disc Player.)

CinemaNow – an innovator in digital entertainment technology, delivering high-quality movies, TV shows and videos to users through online connectivity – and YouTube – a leading online video community for people to discover, watch, and share originally created videos – will be available in LG’s 2009 line of Network Blu-ray Disc players to be unveiled next week at the 2009 International CES(R).

"As millions of U.S. consumers view and download movies or TV shows through the Internet, they are demanding easier ways to access content and more home entertainment options," said Tim Alessi, director of product development, LG Electronics USA.

"From Blu-ray to instant streaming from Netflix to CinemaNow and YouTube, LG is bridging the gap between packaged media and video-on-demand services to provide entertainment solutions for consumers’ demand for content," he said. "With these new alliances, LG continues its innovation leadership by allowing consumers easy access to multiple entertainment options in one device."

CinemaNow: Instant Streaming of Hollywood’s Latest Hits

CinemaNow has pushed the envelope of digital video distribution, becoming the first Web site to offer Pay-Per-View movies from major studios and the first broadband distributor of high definition (HD) content. Collaborating with CinemaNow will enable LG Electronics to offer consumers access to more than 14,000 titles from the major movie studios, broadcast and cable television shows, more than 250 independent film titles and music videos from all major labels. Key benefits include the capability to:

• Browse the entire CinemaNow premium content catalog, including latest Hollywood hits,
• Instantly stream content to enjoy on compatible devices, and
• Access and watch movies purchased from other CinemaNow-powered stores.

"We are extremely pleased to be providing CinemaNow premium content services to these innovative new products from LG Electronics that are helping to drive convenient consumer access to digital entertainment at home," saidMark Ely, executive vice president of strategy, Sonic Solutions (Nasdaq: SNIC), parent company of CinemaNow.

YouTube: Original Streaming Video Content

Leading the way in providing unlimited access to online content, LG’s alliance with a prolific online video community, YouTube, will allow consumers to instantly stream millions of Web videos directly from the Internet to an LG Network Blu-ray Player for viewing on their television (without a personal computer). Key benefits include:

• Unlimited access to millions of videos on topics such as current events, instructional videos for hobbies and interests, comedic and viral videos and
• Easy searching, thumbnail previews and multiple screen size viewing options.

Netflix: High Definition Instant Streaming

Now available to consumers as a free on-line upgrade, LG’s first Network Blu-ray Disc Player (BD300) now delivers a growing number of Netflix titles in high-definition (HD). This new access to high-definition streaming content enhances the existing standard-definition streaming service that LG and Netflix first brought to consumers in 2008.

Future LG Network Blu-ray Disc Players will also offer consumers a variety of ways to enjoy more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes from Netflix. Netflix members owning these devices pay one low monthly subscription for unlimited DVD rental and unlimited streaming.

LG’s full line of Network Blu-ray Disc Players, additional new content alliances and other new products will be revealed at the LG Electronics CES press conference on Jan. 7, 2009 at the Venetian/Sands and will be on display at the 2009 International CES – Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of consumer electronics (digital display and digital media) products, digital appliances and mobile phones under LG’s "Life’s Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visitwww.LGusa.com.

About CinemaNow

CinemaNow, part of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), delivers high-quality Hollywood movies, TV shows and music videos to users across multiple platforms. CinemaNow is partnered with some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics and digital entertainment including ARCHOS, Dell, EchoStar Communications, Hewlett-Packard, Macrovision, Microsoft, Pioneer, Samsung, Technicolor and TiVo to deliver thousands of video titles directly to consumers. CinemaNow works with more than 250 licensors including 20th Century Fox, Disney, EMI, HDNet, IFC, Lionsgate, MGM, Miramax, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Sundance Channel, Vivendi Entertainment and Warner Bros. For more information: www.CinemaNow.com.

Headquartered in Marin County, Calif, Sonic Solutions (www.sonic.com) enables the creation, management, and enjoyment of premium and personal digital media content through its Hollywood to Home(TM) products, services, and technologies.

About YouTube

YouTube is the world’s most popular online video community allowing millions of people to discover, watch and share originally created videos. YouTube provides a forum for people to connect, inform and inspire others across the globe and acts as a distribution platform for original content creators and advertisers large and small. YouTube, LLC is based in San Bruno, Calif., and is a subsidiary of Google Inc.

The summary review is this: it’s Hulu with a connection to your Sling box.  For Sling box users it makes sense to have sling.com as their main Web entertainment site.  For others, I the advantage over just using Hulu did not jump out. 

That said, I would imagine Sling.com already knows this and either 1) they would be happy with the growing base of Sling box users; or 2) they have more tricks up their sleeve.  I’m sure the rumor mill will let us know soon enough.

(disclosure: the writer works with a large Web video company)

OmniVideo is what it sounds like – video everywhere.  If we can watch video more readily on phones, mobile entertainment devices (if there will still be a difference between these last two, laptops, more IP driven screens in the home, the car, and other locations, we can consumer more video.  

But just because we can consumer more video, will we?  I think in large part that depends on programming.  The viewing experience need differs depending on the screen.  Web viewers love short funny videos or hard hitting news, mobile viewing habits are still forming but I suspect it will be similar to Web with time-addiction video thrown in – sports and news mostly. 

All this also means more opportunities to communicate directly to consumers.  When done properly, video is the best way to capture a consumers attention and keep it for more than a few seconds – be it branded premium content, a product placement or an overlay.  So more video on more video devices means more ways to reach consumers. 

And, let’s not forget, if the video pie keeps growing, maybe we can end the zero-sum/television death watch.