Tablets increasing video consumption, study finds

Rather than replace TV-viewing habits, a study from Viacom Media Networks shows that tablet computers are actually increasing the amount of full-length content people watch, often acting as a second screen while the television is on.

In a survey of 2,500 consumers, Viacom's Tapping into Tabletomics study finds that tablet owners and their household members use tablet computers for 15 percent of their full-length content watching, according to Multichannel News. This has reduced the amount of time people spend watching programs on their PCs and smartphones, the report notes.

According to the study, comedy and music are the top genres of full-length shows people watch on tablet computers. In contrast, TV watchers tend to gravitate toward reality shows, as well as drama and sports.

Roughly 22 percent of tablet owners watch shows on apps provided by their multi-system operators. An additional 19 percent also stream content on Netflix.

A separate study from Nielsen reveals that tablet use spikes when people watch television. In a survey, 88 percent of US tablet owners say they have had both their tablet and the television on at the same time.