Network News a Turnoff for Growing Sector, Study Says

U.S. television networks are losing viewers as Americans use the Internet for news and business as well as grow less interested in current events, according to a Pew Research Center survey released today.

The survey of 3,142 adults found that 15% get their daily news on the Internet compared with 6% two years ago. Thirty percent watch network TV newscasts regularly, down from 38% two years ago. About half watch the news only when something important happens, and among younger viewers, the remote control is an “indispensable tool” while watching.

Younger consumers and those who are better educated spend more time using the Web for news and watch less network TV news. Almost half of those younger than 30 use the Internet at least once a week, compared with 20% for those older than 50, the study found.

For active financial investors, the Internet largely has supplanted traditional media as the leading source for stock quotes and investment advice, the poll suggested. Almost half of active traders, 45%, said the Internet was their main source for stock market updates.

The study was conducted from April 20 to May 13 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.