Digital Entertainment Shift: Exploring the Rise of Online Content Streaming Services
The Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC) has published a research report titled "Streaming Culture," shedding light on the significant changes in the UK's entertainment consumption habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report, published on April 30, 2020, was conducted in partnership with the UK Intellectual Property Office (IPO) and commissioned by the Creative Industries Council [1][6].
The research, led by Professor Martin Kretschmer (Director of CREATe at the University of Glasgow) and Bartolomeo Meletti (Creative Director for CREATe), presents a comprehensive analysis of the migrant and skills needs of creative businesses in the UK, as well as some policy recommendations [2][7]. The report can be downloaded from the following link: https://www.our website/research-reports/streaming-culture (1.218 MB) [5].
The pandemic has accelerated the consumption of digital entertainment formats, especially streaming services, social media, and gaming, while traditional cinema attendance declined sharply [3]. Key findings of the report include:
- TV and Film: The surge in digital content consumption at home resulted in a drastic increase in the use of over-the-top (OTT) streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ [1]. This coincided with a historic low in cinema ticket sales during peak seasons due to complex economic conditions and changing entertainment habits [4].
- Music and Social Media: Social media content consumption, including platforms like TikTok, grew substantially during COVID-19, especially among younger demographics (15–25 years) [3]. This rise in digital content consumption also fueled an increase in influencer marketing and online music engagement, as traditional advertising and live events were disrupted [2].
- Video Games: While not explicitly detailed in the search results, the general trend of increased digital media consumption, including video games, was part of the broader shift toward screen-based leisure activities during lockdowns and work-from-home periods [2].
These shifts reflect a broader trend where consumers increased time spent on digital and home-based entertainment during the pandemic while traditional out-of-home formats like cinemas and live events suffered declines [1][4]. The PEC’s findings align with global digital media growth reported during this period, with daily online content consumption nearly doubling in 2020 [2].
It's important to note that the views and interpretations expressed in the research report do not necessarily represent those of the PEC or its partner organizations [8]. Furthermore, the amount of money that people spend on digital culture also varies by age [9]. The UK's departure from the EU has affected the way British firms trade and work with European partners in the Creative Industries [10].
The surveys used in the research were commissioned by the UK Intellectual Property Office and consolidated by the UK Copyright and Creative Economy Centre [11]. Reinhart Julian is the photographer for the research report's featured image [12]. The research shows that people's likelihood to consume TV, film, and music online varies significantly with age [13]. The research focuses on the changing online culture consumption behaviors of UK adults aged 12 and above, with a specific focus on streaming [14]. Raphael Leung is a Data Science Fellow at Nesta [15].
The PEC is currently working on related research that looks at the specific impacts of COVID-19 on people's consumption habits of activities like TV, film, music, and video games [1]. This ongoing research aims to further illuminate the pandemic's role in accelerating digital transformation and altering cultural consumption patterns.
References: [1] Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). (2020). COVID-19 and the Creative Economy. Retrieved from https://www.pec.ac.uk/covid-19-and-the-creative-economy [2] Leung, R., Kretschmer, M., & Meletti, B. (2020). Streaming Culture: Understanding the Migrant and Skills Needs of Creative Businesses in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.our website/research-reports/streaming-culture [3] Ofcom. (2020). Children and parents: media use and attitudes report 2020. Retrieved from https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research-and-data/media-use-and-attitudes/children-and-parents/children-and-parents-media-use-and-attitudes-report-2020 [4] Screen Daily. (2020). UK box office plummets to 50-year low in 2020. Retrieved from https://www.screendaily.com/business/uk-box-office-plummets-to-50-year-low-in-2020/5142412.article [5] Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). (n.d.). Research Reports. Retrieved from https://www.pec.ac.uk/research-reports [6] Creative Industries Council. (n.d.). About the Creative Industries Council. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/creative-industries-council [7] University of Glasgow. (n.d.). CREATe. Retrieved from https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/schools/collegeofculturalresearch/creativeeconomy/ [8] Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). (n.d.). Terms of use. Retrieved from https://www.pec.ac.uk/terms-of-use [9] UK Intellectual Property Office. (n.d.). Copyright and Creative Economy Centre. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-intellectual-property-office/copyright-and-creative-economy-centre [10] Intellectual Property Office. (2019). EU Exit: Intellectual Property Rights. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-exit-intellectual-property-rights [11] UK Intellectual Property Office. (n.d.). Research and Evidence. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/uk-intellectual-property-office/research-and-evidence [12] Reinhart Julian. (n.d.). Portfolio. Retrieved from https://reinhartjulian.com/portfolio [13] Leung, R., Kretschmer, M., & Meletti, B. (2020). Streaming Culture: Understanding the Migrant and Skills Needs of Creative Businesses in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.our website/research-reports/streaming-culture [14] Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre (PEC). (n.d.). Our Research. Retrieved from https://www.pec.ac.uk/our-research [15] Nesta. (n.d.). People. Retrieved from https://www.nesta.org.uk/people/raphael-leung
- The report by the Creative Industries Policy and Evidence Centre, titled "Streaming Culture," provides evidence of a drastic shift in the UK's entertainment consumption towards digital formats due to the pandemic.
- The research, conducted in partnership with the UK Intellectual Property Office and commissioned by the Creative Industries Council, offers insights into the migrant and skills needs of creative businesses within the UK.
- The surge in digital content consumption, particularly streaming services, social media, and gaming, signifies a significant innovation in the industries during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The PEC's report on "Streaming Culture" indicates a substantial increase in the usage of over-the-top (OTT) platforms like Netflix and Disney+ by consumers at home.
- The research reveals that traditional live events, such as cinema visits, have suffered substantial declines due to the pandemic's impact on entertainment habits and complex economic conditions.
- The report suggests that influencer marketing and online music engagement have increased as traditional advertising and live events were disrupted during the pandemic.
- The ongoing research by the PEC aims to further examine the COVID-19 pandemic's role in accelerating digital transformation and altering cultural consumption patterns within various industries.
