Video consumption across multiple platforms is now a global phenomenon. Consumers in all regions are proving their insatiable appetite for video information and entertainment – thus far adding screens to their media mix, not replacing them.

Testifying at a public forum of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Susan Whiting, Vice Chair of The Nielsen Company, urged the body to tread carefully in evaluating the need for regulating emerging online and mobile video platforms.

In the U.S., young people’s media usage is markedly different from that of older generations but is likely to converge with their elders as they themselves grow older, according to Nielsen SVP of Consumer Insights Dounia Turrill at today’s Consumer 360 conference in Las Vegas.

The number of primetime programs in the U.S. is on the rise – 199 programs during the 08/09 television season, up from 191 programs the previous season.

Americans increased their overall media usage and media multitasking according to The Nielsen Company’s latest Three Screen Report, which tracks consumption across TV, Internet and mobile phones.

Given the consistent spike in usage among the three screens of television, Internet and mobile, consumers are clearly adding video platforms to their schedule, rather than replacing them.

The evolution of the three screens that distribute video – TV, Internet and mobile phones – has created challenges and opportunities for consumers, programmers and marketers alike.

Nielsen estimates a continued increase of Hispanic TV homes (2.3%) in comparison to total U.S. TV homes (0.3%) for the 2009-2010 TV season.

For the 2009-2010 broadcast season Nielsen estimates that the total number of television households within the U.S. (including Alaska and Hawaii) will be 114.9 million.

Sara Erichson, President, Media Client Services North America, The Nielsen Company
The June 12 transition to digital broadcasting was an important milestone for all of us who work in the television industry. For Nielsen, the transition went very smoothly thanks to a year of planning and the close cooperation of our broadcast clients.
Because our metered panels are representative of U.S. television households nationwide and in individual local markets, Nielsen was able to track the country’s progress in preparing for the digital switchover. In January 2008, 10.5% of households were …