Online video demand rockets

Recently released figures have shown that over the past year the demand for online video amongst broadband users has rocketed.

A research firm in the UK has recently released a report that shows how demand for online video amongst broadband users in the UK has surged over the past year. The report suggests that over the past twelve months Internet traffic to online video sites had shot up by almost forty one percent. The most popular online video site was found to be YouTube, with the second and third most popular sites being BBC iPlayer and Google Video respectively.

On an individual basis the level of traffic to BBC iplayer has soared by over one hundred and fifty percent over the past twelve months. Over the Christmas period the level of traffic to the site peaked, and it now enjoys a reputation as the 22nd most visited site amongst UK broadband users. One industry official said that online video had become an integral part of Internet usage for many broadband consumers.

He stated: “Three years ago YouTube was in its infancy and slow connections meant it wasn’t a viable option for many users. Since then, UK traffic to video sites has increased 37-fold and if you include sites with video content – as well as dedicated video websites – that number would be even higher.”

He went on to state that the popularity of online video sites had also increased because of the technology that was now being used by those accessing the Internet, such as the availability of much faster broadband speeds than in the past and the new flash based services that were now on offer. The report showed that by and large online video was no longer a bonus but rather an integral part of any website.