MUMBAI: A new study by Thinkbox into how people watch TV outlines why live viewing continues to thrive alongside the rapid growth of VOD, asserting that these methods of consumption satisfy different emotional needs.

Thinkbox says that the six core reasons why people watch TV are to unwind, seek comfort, connect, experience, escape and indulge. The study, Screen Life: TV in Demand, says that the live TV experience satisfies human emotional needs that on-demand viewing alone does not. VOD is better at satisfying personal approaches to TV, such as indulging and escaping, but is less equipped for the social needs of unwinding and seeking comfort. This is supported by findings that for 54 per cent of the time we watch live TV when we?re with someone else, compared to 30 per cent for VOD.

Live TV is still found to be the first port of call for deciding what to watch. Among the research sample that qualified as heavy VOD viewers, 60 per cent typically checked what was on the live TV schedule before considering other options.

Young people don?t mind waiting for content either, so that they can share the experience. Connecting was the most important reason to watch TV for those 18 to 24; 28 per cent of their viewing was in order to connect, which is almost double the sample average. If given the choice between downloading a new series they liked in one go or waiting to watch it week by week on live TV, 73 per cent of those 18 to 24 said they they?d watch week by week.

Thinkbox director research and planning Neil Mortensen said: "This research gets to the heart of why we watch TV and explains the apparent conundrum of why people choose to watch so much live TV when they don?t have to."

"It shows that VOD is a brilliant and treasured new way to enjoy TV, but it can?t give people everything they demand from TV - particularly the highly valued social elements. Live TV is best equipped to meet all of the needs and that is why it will endure, no matter what new platforms emerge. Live TV is our daily food whereas VOD is more like a box of chocolates," Mortensen added.

MUMBAI: On-location filming in the Los Angeles area was up 9 per cent in the second quarter, thanks to a boost from television production and web-based shows, according to Film L.A.

Film L.A. declared Q2 a period of recovery for filming on location in the city, as a five-year analysis shows consistent under-performance in key TV subcategories. Film L.A.?s television category grew 26.6 per cent last quarter. It outperformed the five-year average by 8.9 per cent.

The TV drama subcategory witnessed a below par performance in its five-year average, however, by 12 per cent this quarter. This is despite year-on-year gains of 29.3 per cent. Web-based TV was up 63.1 per cent year-on-year. TV pilots were up 51.8 per cent and TV sitcoms were up 39.1 per cent. Reality TV, which was up 6.4 per cent year-on-year, remains to be the largest contributor to L.A.?s TV totals. Reality TV finished Q2 4.7-per cent below its five-year average, though.

"The more we study these numbers, the more obvious is the need for historical context," said president of Film L.A. Paul Audley "For production to increase 20, 40 or even 60 per cent in a category during a single quarter is positive and significant, but it also demands we look at the record and see what?s been happening in those categories seasonally and over time."

California?s Film and Television Tax Credit Program did its part to bring new projects to the Los Angeles region this past quarter. State-qualified Television projects generated 171 PPD (permitted production day) from March through June, comprising 22.7 per cent of all TV drama activity. State-qualified Television projects in L.A. included Franklin & Bash, Lost Angels, Major Crimes, Perception, Pretty Little Liars, Rizzoli and Isles, Teen Wolf and Switched at Birth.

MUMBAI: The CableU television research company has signed an expanded agreement with Nielsen that broadens the scope and value of the company?s subscription-based offering and results in a name change to RatingsIntel.

The company will be operating as RatingsIntel.com starting 9 July. The service will include all CableU research, featuring a searchable archive of more than 4,000 ratings research reports from 2006 onward. It will transition from monthly reports to daily reports on the rating stories from all Nielsen-reported networks. The daily reports include analysis, ratings data and graphs to illustrate ratings stories.

"We?re excited. Our mission is simply stated: Put ratings into context for busy media professionals and those with a financial stake in the industry," said Reess Kennedy, current CableU partner who will take over as chief executive of the company from CableU founder Gary Lico, who will stay on as an advisor and minority partner.