Product Placement Growth Fueled By Increase In Channels

With ratings down, Hollywood executives have been scratching their head wondering what it takes to find the ‘next big hit’.  According to research from Nielson, no matter how big of a hit you have, you are still going to end up with lower ratings as the average U.S. home now receives 119 channels.

The growth in product placement and branded entertainment can be linked to the significant increase in the number of media choices available to the average consumer.

Report highlights include:

• U.S. homes now receive on average 118.6 total television channels and the average household watches 16 channels or 13% of the total average number received for at least 10 minutes per week.
• Based on the total U.S. composite, African Americans watch more television overall, while Hispanics watch the least.
• Dramas comprise 40% of the primetime programs, an increase of seven programs from last year. Variety programs comprise 23%.
• Among all U.S. households, total TV viewing is at 31 hours and 55 minutes per week
• African American households watch 45 hours and 22 minutes
• Hispanic households watch 27 hours and 13 minutes.
• The average U.S. TV home is populated with 2.5 people and 2.8 TV sets;
• 31% of U.S. TV homes have digital cable;
• 61% of homes have wired cable service (down from 68% in 2000) and
• 27% have satellite or specialized antenna systems (up from 19% in 2005).