Is BBC3 Paving the Way for the Future of TV?

The BBC made history, in February, when it axed BBC Three as a traditional television channel and moved it entirely online in a bid to reduce costs and respond to changing consumer habits.

So could this spark the start of a mass movement away from television channels, as we know them?

And, more importantly, is this what audiences really want?

Vox Pops International conducted some vox pops research to find out how people are consuming their programs, what they think the future of television might look like and how they would feel if more channels went online only.

Digital viewing creates the perfect TV binge

Our research found that on-demand and catch-up services form a heavy part of viewing habits, outweighing the amount of television that is consumed live.

Most viewers are still watching some TV in the traditional way, although,

Some students are consuming 100% of their TV via online channels,

with the main reason being the ability to avoid a TV license – well, for the time being anyway!

Most feel convenience is the key advantage to online viewing, allowing them to ‘save up’ content for that perfect viewing occasion.

The rise of services such as Netflix is also seen to offer the ability to binge-watch a whole series in one or two sittings, feeding a real hunger to consume favourite content immediately.

Another perceived advantage is being able to skip adverts.

Does digital mean less social?

However, there is a concern amongst some that viewing TV in this way reduces the social element and could alienate those who are less tech-savvy.

Despite a small minority of Millennials being open to the idea of all content being online in the future,

The vast majority feel that there would always be a place for live TV and would not want to see it disappear entirely.

Fear of missing out or seeing spoilers online, along with sharing moments with family and being able to have the TV on in the background, are the key drivers for tuning in live.

Those ‘golden’ TV moments that people most want to catch as they are broadcast are events such as the Olympics; result-based shows such as Big Brother and X-Factor and must-see TV such as Happy Valley.

Finally, aside from a move to more online content, what else are audiences expecting from the future of television?

Expectations & Desires

Essentially, the UK public are seeking more interactivity, dimension and choice from their television. Many feel current 3D and curved screen technology leave a lot of room for improvement – hoping for more immersive and ‘real’ 3D solutions, such as interactive goggles!

In summary…

Key advantages of online content

• Convenience
• Personalised viewing
• Immediacy of content
• Ability to filter

Key concerns around a reduction in traditional TV

• Less of a shared experience
• Loss of golden ‘live’ moments
• Fear of missing out
• Necessity to be more involved

Key hopes for the TV of the future

• More interactive
• Retained ‘live’ broadcast element
• Increased choice
• Improvements in 3D technology

If you’d like to find out more about this research, use some of our existing clips, or create a video similar to this, then please get in touch!