Bethel Finance: Israelis more glued to TV than ever

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Bethel Finance news:
In 2011, Israelis watched an average of 232 minutes of TV a day (almost four hours), the highest viewing rates since viewing time began being measured in 1998. These statistics were published in a survey conducted by the Israel Audience Research Board. They represent a seven minute increase from 2010.

The statistics are based on a panel made up of 580 households and 2,100 individuals, which form a statistically representative sample of the population of TV viewers in Israel (93% of the total population). The average number of TV sets per household in Israel is 2.16.

Israel Audience Research Board CEO Yifat Ben Hay-Segev says that the increase reflects the strength of TV, whose status remains undisputed, despite the strengthening of the personal computer as a viewing medium. "The strengthening of TV has been possible thanks to three parallel trends: TV is absorbing interactive communication and is expanding its activity online. New technologies, including delayed viewing capability, are expanding 'screen time', and this year's successful and strong content has increased total viewing time," Ben Hay-Segev says.

In 2011, the viewing of broadcast channels (1,2, 9, 10, 23, 24 and 33) comprised 60% of total viewing time in Jewish households in Israel during prime time hours, as opposed to 57% in 2010. Ben Hay-Segev says, "This is an unprecedented number in relation to broadcast channels in western countries - it's like a campfire for Israeli society."

In comparison with other western countries, Israelis' average TV viewing time is the third highest after the US and the UK, which report 283 and 242 minutes respectively. After Israel follow Russia, Germany, France, Australia, and Holland.

Women watch more TV than men; Tel Aviv residents top the list

As for the profile of the average Israeli TV viewer, the Audience Research Board statistics show that in 2011 women age 18 and above watched TV much more than men in the same age bracket - 284 minutes on average, as opposed to 221 minutes for men. Girls 17 years old and younger watched about the same amount of TV as boys the same age - 177 minutes, as opposed to 170 minutes for boys.

With respect to the age of viewers, the population segment that watched the most TV in 2011 was the over 65 years old bracket - 359 minutes a day on average (almost six hours!). This is almost three times more than viewers 18-24 years old - 121 minutes a day on average. Data show that from age 25, viewing time rises with age.

In the division into geographical areas, it appears that Tel Aviv residents watched the most TV in 2011 (285 minutes a day) and Jerusalem residents (204 minutes) watched the least.