Has COVID turned Aussies into couch potatoes?

If you found yourself watching more TV in 2020, you're not alone.

By Joe Hanlon

Dec 13, 2020

1 min read

Aussies agree that 2020 was a year spent in front of the box, with almost half saying that their daily dose of digital entertainment increased this year compared to 2019.

43% of those surveyed said that they streamed more this year, with most increasing their viewing time from 2-3 hours per day to 3-4 hours. A whopping 35% of respondents estimate that they now watch between 5 and 10 hours of TV each day.

To fuel the binge, most Aussies say they spend between $20 and $30 on streaming service subscriptions every month, including video on demand, podcasts, video calling, and gaming services.

Those aged between 25 and 34 spend the most on streaming, with nearly 20% spending up to $50 per month. When asked if they have kept a subscription that they signed up for during the COVID-19 pandemic, 37% say yes.

Many are also using digital tools and services to stay in touch during the pandemic. 56% of Aussies say they spend more time video calling friends and family than they did last year, and 38% say they increased the time they spend playing online games too.

With screen time up across the board, it seems like the effects of lockdown are still lingering for some Aussies, who still spend more time glued to their screens than last year.

Methodology

We surveyed 1,000 Australians about their thoughts and habits around technology usage in 2020, then analyzed the results to create this report.

Written by

Joe Hanlon

Joe Hanlon has been immersed in mobile phones, plans and the internet for over a decade, having written for publications like CNET, Techradar, Gizmodo, Lifehacker and WhistleOut. He steers the editorial ship and makes sure that we are always serving up the most useful guides and recommendations. If you ever bump into Joe on the street, don't be afraid to ask for a phone recommendation. It's embarrassing how much he enjoys talking about this stuff. He also loves listening to podcasts, so feel free to email Joe with recommendations.