Say Goodbye to the Couch Potato: Work and the Commute Are New Prime Viewing Locations

Quick Search and Targeted Recommendations are More Important than
Ever for Easy Entertainment Discovery

LAS VEGAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–CES — Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) today announced phase-three
findings from a sponsored survey of pay-TV and over-the-top (OTT)
content subscribers in the U.S., Europe and Asia. The study investigated
trends in contemporary TV and streaming habits and found in the first
two phases that cord-cutting is less likely than the industry may have
thought and that entertainment consumption can take up almost as much
time as working and sleeping. Phase three findings suggest the age-old
idea of TV watchers being wedded to the couch has officially come to an
end.

Globally, nearly two thirds (60 percent) of respondents
said they frequently stream content in their car or on public
transportation, 29 percent of respondents said they view content
while at work and 24 percent said they view content in the car.
Participants in India were found to be more likely to stream content
equally in all three places, while those in China showed a slight
propensity toward streaming alone at the kitchen table. In the U.S.,
respondents reported streaming slightly more often in the car, and in
Japan, while standing in line.

“Given the revelations from the first two study phases of just how
tightly bonded viewers are with their entertainment, it comes as no
surprise that the practice of watching TV and streaming content has
liberated viewers from having to spend hours on the couch,” said Michael
Hawkey senior vice president and general manager of discovery, Rovi. “It
stands to reason that new trends in entertainment discovery and
consumption have as much to do with the prevalence of smart mobile
devices as it does with the explosion of new and compelling content and
service platforms. Watching shows on-the-go also means viewers have less
time to find programs they might like, which makes Rovi’s entertainment
discovery solutions that much more valuable. At work and on the road,
viewers want immediate, resonant guidance on the entertainment that will
keep them engaged.”

In addition to insight on preferred viewing locations, the survey
uncovered data on the importance of sound entertainment search and
recommendations:

• 51 percent of global respondents said their providers should
  focus on improving the ability to search for entertainment content to
  make it easier and more effective
• 70 percent of all respondents said they would prefer to find
  programs on-platform versus watching something their friends and
  family recommended
• Among all respondents who reported that they do not frequently use
  recommendation capabilities, more than a quarter said it is
  because the recommendations are not tailored to the content they like (28
  percent) or are irrelevant to them (25 percent)
• One third of respondents from Germany (32 percent) and
  France (32 percent) believed providers should focus on
  recommendations
• 58 percent of global respondents said they would be open to
  anonymously sharing information about what they like to watch

The survey also shed light on the most popular sources for TV and
streaming entertainment:

• 77 percent of all respondents said they currently subscribe to
  alternative TV or video content providers, such as Netflix or Hulu –
  more so in the U.S. and Europe compared to Asia Pacific
• Millennials (84 percent) and parents (81 percent) were
  more likely to subscribe to alternative TV or video content providers
• 48 percent of global respondents said they watch live TV most
  often, followed by On Demand (30 percent) and via their DVR (17
  percent)
• 37 percent of European respondents said they watch On Demand
  content most often
• Baby boomers and older respondents were found more likely to say they
  watch live TV or television content more often than On Demand or
  recorded content, while Gen X and Millennial participants were found
  more likely to view content On Demand.

Findings were the result of an online survey of 4,000 pay-TV and OTT
subscribers across seven countries with 1,000 interviews completed in
the U.S., and 500 interviews completed each in the U.K., France,
Germany, China, Japan and India¹.

About Rovi Corporation
Rovi Corporation (NASDAQ: ROVI) is
creating personalized and data-driven ways for viewers to discover the
right entertainment and for providers to discover the right
audiences. Chosen by top brands in entertainment content, services and
devices, Rovi touches the lives of hundreds of millions of consumers by
providing comprehensive solutions, customizable products and technology
licensing to make discovery simple, seamless and personal. Learn how
Rovi is advancing entertainment and audience discovery at rovicorp.com,
or follow us on Twitter @rovicorp.com.

¹ About the Survey Methodology

• A total of 4,000 online surveys were completed spread across seven
countries worldwide – 1,000 interviews were completed in the U.S. while
500 interviews were completed within each of the following countries –
U.K., Germany, France, China, Japan and India.

• Participants had to be a pay-TV subscriber, subscribe to other TV or
video content providers, or use online streaming devices.

• The total sample was weighted so each country represented the same
number of interviews. Additionally, the country samples were stratified
and the data was weighted slightly by regions, age, gender, education,
and income in order to reflect a proportional, representative sample.

• The U.S. survey has a margin of error of +/-3 percentage points for
the full sample. The other countries have a margin of error of +/-4.4
percentage points for their full samples. The margin of error is higher
for subgroups within each sample.

Contacts

Rovi Corporation
Stacey Hurwitz, 617-710-9171
Stacey.Hurwitz@rovicorp.com