US consumers could drop spending on mobile, broadband and pay TV services due to economic turmoil, but Internet video will expand, says In-Stat

US Consumer spending on subscription-TV, broadband, and mobile services will be "about the same" for most consumers, but about 15% intend to cut back, according to In-Stat. As a result, the research firm estimates that consumer spending across these three segments could see nearly a US$5 billion decrease during the next 12 months. In-Stat also found that broadband services are among the most integral parts of consumers' lives. Over 66 million consumers across demographic categories are using the Internet while camped out on their sofas watching TV.

"Some male age groups had 40% to 50% of respondents using a PC while watching TV, and about 30% of females under the age of 40 are also using a PC while watching TV," said Gerry Kaufhold, In-Stat analyst. "New approaches using online web portals synchronized to a TV program will continue to develop, because they present no new costs. Cable TV operators also face increasing competition from lightweight services that deliver popular cable programming, supplemented by content delivered via broadband."