A new study released by the analytics division of Hollywood agency UTA has confirmed that some pandemic-induced changes to U.S. consumer habits regarding entertainment content are here to stay as the country emerges from extended periods of isolation.
Using a nationally representative sample of 1,000 U.S. adults ages 18-54, the study found that unsurprisingly 84% of participants spent more time with entertainment during the pandemic than in the previous year.
More interesting is that 67% intend to spend more time-consuming entertainment in a post-COVID-19 world and not fleeing to more social or less housebound activities as has been speculated.
70% of responders also reported using multiple streaming platforms during the pandemic with the same number answering they will continue to do so after.
40% say it has become more important that entertainment is mood-boosting, 33% said that they plan to subscribe to or use more platforms, 33% plan to consume more international and/or diverse voiced content, 33% said content will need to address social and cultural issues, and 25% plan to consume more genres.
51% plan to consume more live sports than pre-pandemic, 50% of consumers say their fandom was strengthened during the pandemic, and 33% say they took up a hobby thanks to entertainment that they consumed (ala chess due to “The Queen’s Gambit”).
The division’s head says in a statement: “What consumers are telling us is that now that they have formed many new habits, they won’t let them go.”
Source: THR