46% Of Canadians Willing To Give Up TV For Internet Or Phone Access

BY: 

Dave Forde
July 19, 2011

Some new data has come out from a survey conducted by Angus Reid Forum and commissioned by Primus Canada, reveals data that shouldn’t be much of a surprise to any reader of Profectio.  The findings indicate that 46% of respondents would be willing to give up watching television before they would give up surfing the Internet or using their phone. Another one-third of respondents (35%) would rather give up their phone in order to continue their online and television access, while only 20 per cent would give up their Internet access. Of those polled, Western Canadians were more likely to give up TV over Internet access or their phone, with 61% of British Columbians and 58%of Albertans, respectively, stating these facts.

“This survey proves that Canadians have reached a comfort level and reliance on the Internet that is at least on par with that of TV and phones,” says Rob Warden, Vice President, Residential Services at Primus Canada. “With the increased interactivity offered by both online and mobile phone access, the ability to connect, be entertained and more is easier than ever.”

People Of All Ages Love The Internet, Even Those Over 55

Keeping up with family across the world, watching your favourite TV show through a streaming media service, the Internet attracts consumers of all ages, from youth to seniors.   According to the data, 35% of those aged 55 years and older would rather give up television than the Internet or their phones, suggesting that the acceptance and use of digital technology is steadily rising among seniors. As well, a majority – 67% – of the 18 to 34 year-olds surveyed would give up television as opposed to the Internet or phone.

Additional findings from the survey include:

  • When asked if they would rather receive one million dollars and never use the internet again or prefer to keep the Internet, one-fifth of Canadians would turn down one million dollars in order to keep their Internet access
  • Females were more willing to give up television in order to keep the Internet or their phone than were males with 50 and 41 percent, respectively, reporting this fact
  • The majority (52 per cent) of Canadians earning over $100,000 per year would forego television before giving up their phone or Internet access in comparison to only 12 per cent who would give up the Internet to keep watching television or using their phone
  • The higher the level of education, the more likely the respondents were to choose to give up television, with 54 per cent of post-university respondents admitting to this, in comparison to only 13 per cent of the same group who would rather give up Internet access

According to The World Bank, as of 2009 there are 26,224,900 Canadians accessing the Internet, I’m sure this number has grow exponentially since then.

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Dave Forde


Dave “The Connector” Forde has been involved in the marketing, public relations and technology industry across Canada for over 20 years in various sales and marketing roles, he launched The Connected One network of business sites which connects buyers to the right sellers. Profectio and PR In Canada covers news about the marketing and public relations industry each day helping professionals advance their career and businesses. He also serves as an advisor to a number of businesses across the country. Find Dave on LinkedIn and Twitter.


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