Internet to overtake TV by June 2010

Internet more watched than traditional televisions by June 2010

Europeans will spend more time on the internet than watching television by June 2010, according to research by Microsoft.

The report, Europe logs on: Internet trends of today and tomorrow, analyses online behaviour across Europe, and for 2010 predicts web consumption will average 14.2 hours per week, while TV programme watching will average 11.5 hours per week.

Driving the rise of online media consumption is always-on broadband, with almost half (48.5 per cent) of Europeans now having an internet connection. The report says that for watching television programmes, "three screens will dominate" - the traditional TV, desktop and laptop PCs, and mobile devices.

"While today the experience is fragmented across multiple media devices and environments - from the living room television to the bedroom PC to the portable music player and mobile phone - in future, software will enable connected, integrated entertainment experiences," said Microsoft's European vice president for consumer and online, John Mangelaars.

USC Annenberg School's Centre for Digital Future director Jeffrey Cole said television will still grow in importance, but its role will be different.

"TV no longer refers to the big screen in the home but to audio and visual content that will be watched everywhere. It will become our constant companion as it escapes from the home for the first time via the mobile phone and netbook PC," he said.