We Heart The Royal Television Society

The RTS, whose members include every major UK broadcaster, has commissioned research from OC&C Strategy Consultants, which shows that young people in particular are switching off in huge numbers.

Under-30s now watch 40 per cent of their 'television' by downloading it over the internet or viewing it 'on demand' rather than watching it as it is broadcast.

More than 10 per cent of viewing by young people is already online, with the youngest groups (under 24) spending the most time on the internet.

73 per cent of the under-30s surveyed are using the internet more than they did three years ago, and 43 per cent of under 30s are watching less TV.

81 per cent of under-30s do something else while watching TV; among 15- to 17-year-olds the figure is 86 per cent.

In full: OC&C Strategy