DR on viewing habits

The old-school consumption of TV is on its way out, but traditional viewing habits and preferences are alive and well in many households, according to Media Developments in 2023, the yearly robust media report from DR, presented Thursday morning.

For many viewers, streaming is “just” a new distribution route to more great TV content, while the ingrained TV habits and needs largely stay the same.

Danes spent almost 4 hours a day in 2023 in the company of moving images – from traditional linear TV and streaming services to videos on social media and all sorts of other online video content.

"On average, Danes watch one and a half hours of traditional TV a day, in addition, they watch 25 minutes of live streaming. In other words, linear viewing accounts for a total of 50% of the Danes' total TV consumption," DR Research writes.

Streamers DRTV and TV 2 Play attract most of the linear viewing. On DRTV, 21% were streamed live, while the figure is 36% on TV 2 Play. On TV 2 Play viewers can watch TV 2 News and several sports channels, which are naturally consumed live.

The most watched live programs in 2023 were big events, but new scripted shows from DR and TV 2 also count as big events and are programs that Danes like to consume live, according to research compiled by DR.

"Viewers prefer to take in big events live, this includes major sports and entertainment events, but also new Danish fiction, like Oxen from TV 2, Prisoner (Huset) on DR1, and DNA on TV 2, were considered big TV events in 2023 by Danish viewers," Head of Research, Mads Emil Sejrbo Lidegaard, DR, said.

Although linear use is declining year by year, live viewing is alive and well, according to Lidegaard.

"We are gradually phasing out the old TV distribution, but we still appreciate the curated content flow. With the endless possibilities in the content jungle, many viewers still welcome not having to make decisions every time they want to relax in front of the TV," DR Analyse concludes.