A new Knowledge Networks recontact study of persons ages 13 to 54, released as part of How People Use® HDTV 2009, shows that high-definition TV (HDTV) viewers are now 65% more likely to say they watch HD programming daily, compared to their viewing habits two years ago.
In 2009, Knowledge Networks recontacted high definition viewers from...
Well, I'm certain Dish is no different than DirecTV in the numbers of HD channels offered - although they would definitely like you to think so. And, since I'm a Dish customer, I can guarantee I watch lots more HD now than two years ago, but it has as much to do with the number of channels available! I can't tell you how many channels were available then, but I have no doubt it was lots less than now. You can't help but watch more HD now, simply because it's lots easier to find it. Two years ago, I spent a lot of time watching my local broadcast channels - with OTA antenna - because they were already HD, while not too many of the satellite channels that were HD interested me. Now, I still watch the locals via OTA - Dish still hasn't provided all of them via their feed - but I can watch lots more HD via satellite because of the increased numbers of channels I prefer. And, come to think of it, I'd guess my watching of HD constitutes over 80% of my total viewing.
Most people don't choose the programs they watch based strictly on the picture quality. They watch TV programs whether they're in HD or SD. So the fact that more programs have switched from SD to HD (especially cable channels) would account for the vast majority of the increase.
I love watching TV shows and movies in HD. The quality is so much better. Working at DISH, I would say that a lot of customers/consumers tend to pick what they watch based on the quality of the show/ pixels. Best ones thus far in HD the obvious of course; Avatar, Alice in Wonderland (the newest one) and majority of the fantasy movies. I just don't think that I could go back to a standard definition TV.
--Miranda
