The Nielsen Company reports that the Internet is turning us into mouse potatoes.

According to their most recent data, viewing of video on television, Internet and mobile devices continues to increase and has reached new heights. The average American watches more than 151 hours of TV per month, an all-time high.

Meanwhile, Americans who watch video over the Internet consume another 3 hours of online video per month and those who use mobile video watch nearly 4 hours per month on mobile phones and other devices.

In other words – most people are watching as much TV as ever, and augmenting that with a lot of YouTube, Hulu and video podcasts.

“The American fascination with television and other video content is not easing up, as consumers keep turning to TV, Internet and Mobile at record levels,” said Susan Whiting, vice chair of The Nielsen Company.

“Viewers appear to be choosing the best screen available for their video consumption, weighing a variety of factors, including convenience, quality and access. It is clear that TV remains the main vehicle for viewing video, although online and mobile platforms are an increasingly important complement to live home-based television.”

First adopters have been watching less and less traditional television and more DVDs and Internet television – but the numbers suggest that this isn’t typical.

How is Internet video changing your viewing habits?

Other notable facts from the report include:

 

• Except for the teenage years, viewing of traditional television increases with age; the use of video on the Internet peaks among young adults while viewing mobile video is highest in the teen years.
• Men continue to watch video on mobile phones more than women, and women continue to watch video on the Internet and television more than men.
• The work day continues to be the primetime for Internet video. Weekdays outpace weekends for online video viewing with 65% of online video viewers streaming content between 9am – 5pm Monday through Friday, versus 51% of online video viewers logging on between 6am – 8pm on weekends.
• The mobile video audience has grown, up to 11 million Americans, an increase of 9% versus the previous quarter. In addition, the average monthly time spent viewing mobile video among reported mobile video users increased 2%, from 3:37 to 3:42 between 3Q 2008 and 4Q 2008.

Image: Kayteeee