Advanced Television

Millennials expect digital media on their own terms

March 6, 2014

Verizon Digital Media Services has attempted to answer two key questions by undertaking a two-part research project about the entertainment habits of the millennial generation: What do millennials want when it comes to online viewing, and what should broadcasters know to improve their chances in this market?

Among the findings:

  • Millennials are extremely sensitive to quality and performance. They are quicker than older generations to abandon an entertainment source if the quality is poor, slow-loading, or has other technical problems.

  • Millennials are brand loyal, but far less loyal to traditional broadcast networks than non-millennials. In fact, not a single network made the top ten list of brand loyalties for millennials.

  • Millennials are more likely to use multiple screens when enjoying entertainment, but less likely to use second and third screens for purposes directly related to what they’re watching.

  • As an on-demand generation, millennials expect to choose how, what and when they watch.

“Understanding the needs, wants and habits of millennials is critical for success in the digital media industry,” said James Segil, chief marketing officer for Verizon Digital Media Services. “The research reflects some interesting findings, and we were pleased to see that millennials share our passion for quality, speed, and a superior experience.”

The first part of the project, completed in November 2013, consisted of surveying 1,000 consumers – 800 of them aged between 16 and 34 and identified as millennials – and 200 aged 35 to 64. The second part of the research consisted of in-depth in-home interviews with eight selected millennials.

A key finding is the criticality of incorporating high-quality, high-performance online video as part of broadcasters’ distribution model. Companies that fall behind on this front will be at a significant competitive disadvantage among millennials, who expect instant-on, high-quality video regardless of their device or location.

Another primary theme of the research reflected millennials’ preference to choose how and when they want their online viewing. With the recently acquired EdgeCast and upLynk assets, Verizon Digital Media Services suggests it can help companies deliver millennial viewers a robust combination of speed and reliability.

It also suggests that the scale and performance of its global backbone network – combined with a video-optimised platform – position Verizon Digital Media Services to meet the expectations of millennials for high-quality online linear and live viewing experiences.

“Media companies that use research such as ours to understand how millennials adapt technology for their viewing habits will have an edge in serving this important generational audience,” said Segil.

Categories: Articles, Consumer Behaviour, Research