Comscore Finds Increase in OTT Streaming Tied to COVID-19

Comscore found “notable year-over-year growth” in households watching over-the-top content and time spent watching on connected TVs and streaming boxes/sticks. March 13-16, households streaming were up 39% on connected TVs, hours up 34%, Comscore reported Friday: Boxes/sticks households rose 47%, hours 20%. Netflix had 37% of traffic, YouTube 21%, Amazon Prime Video 16% and Hulu 12%. "The millions of Americans who are remaining indoors to comply with Coronavirus public health measures are hungry for news and entertainment, and streaming options are an increasingly important piece of the consumption pie along with traditional TV," said Comscore CEO Bill Livek. CTA said Friday more than a third of U.S. households bought tech devices over the past week to help them keep up as they stay at home. Smartphones led the list, with 14% of households purchasing, followed by laptops (12%), TVs (11%), wireless earbuds/headphones (11%) and wired earbuds or headphones (9%). CTA found 42% are using social media platforms more often. A quarter of U.S. households are now buying non-food items online more often, and 12% are considering doing so. As gyms and fitness centers close, 11% of households say they are using health and fitness apps more often.