250m to access adult content on mobile device by 2017
September 25, 2013
A report from Juniper Research has found that by 2017, a quarter of a billion people will use their mobile or tablet device to access adult content, such as videos, images and live cams, up by more than 30 per cent on current usage.
The report highlighted that this was attributable to an emphasis on high-definition, niche-centric product, as well as the flourishing availability of mobile-optimised free content.
According to the report, smartphones and tablets have become key distribution channels for adult service providers, with those at the forefront of the industry ensuring that content is differentiated for and tailored to the increasingly mobile audience.
Furthermore, it argued that usage on tablets would be fuelled by the increasing trend towards tablets becoming personal, as opposed to shared household devices, thereby alleviating user concerns that other family members might view inappropriate content.
Report author Siân Rowlands observed that ‘Whilst Juniper expects the total number of users of both desktop and mobile adult content to remain broadly consistent, we expect to see continued migration to smartphones and tablets, as more enhanced, tailored content makes its way onto these personal devices.’
However, the report claimed that recently announced mandatory content blocks from leading UK ISPs was likely to restrict future growth in this market, with a drop-off in access amongst casual users. Although network operators throughout the EU routinely impose locks on adult content when users are browsing the mobile web via their cellular network, most access currently occurs via Wi-Fi, where default content blocks are not in place.
Other key findings from the report include:
• Subscription will continue to be the optimal mobile monetisation model, primarily through sales of niche content.
• The proportion of mobile adult revenues from adult videochat will grow substantially over the forecast period, at a CAGR of 25 per cent.